Business executives, under the aegis of Northern Professionals in Business (NPB), have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to disregard those instigating him against the promulgation of a new law that will replace Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA).

The professionals, who met in Abuja yesterday, also described as unfounded the insinuation that the new Customs Bill will strip the President of powers.

Representative of the professionals, Dr Sani Maikano Abdullahi, emphasised that the review of outdated CEMA, which had been in existence since 1958, would bring it in line with international best practices and enhance revenue collection, trade facilitation and Customs modernisation.

The businessmen also advised the minister of finance and co-ordinating minister for the economy Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to be wary of those officials who seek to mislead her.

"If Dr Okonjo-Iweala is interested in the development of the Nigerian economy as we want to believe she is, then, she should actively support the new Customs law being considered by the National Assembly," they said.