Nigeria Customs Service on Saturday denied reported plans to shut down upscale Lagos hospitality spot, Intercontinental Hotel, on Victoria Island.
The service said in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Wale Adeniyi, that it found it necessary to clarify its position on its “ongoing battle to compel defaulting rice importers pay outstanding duties owed the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
It stated that the clarification became necessary in view of media reports that it was planning to shut down the hotel.
“The confusion was created in view of the association of its owners, Milan Nigeria Limited with one of the defaulting importers.
Our records have shown that Intercontinental Hotel is not indebted to the Nigeria Customs Service, and will therefore not be shut down as insinuated.
It is also necessary to clarify that the defaulting importers targeted for sanctions, Conti Agro Nigeria Limited, is a separate legal entity from Milan Nigeria Limited, owners of Intercontinental Hotel.
“The Management of Conti Agro has commenced engagement with the Customs to make payments of duty owed by it, and resolve the issue.”
