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| ACG of Customs Zone ‘A’, Eporwei Edike |
The
Nigeria Customs Service auction procedures will henceforth involve other agencies of
government including the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission(ICPC), the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), the Nigeria Police, the
National Assembly, the Nigerian Ports
Authority(NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Nigeria Customs Service auction procedures will henceforth involve other agencies of
government including the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission(ICPC), the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), the Nigeria Police, the
National Assembly, the Nigerian Ports
Authority(NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Mr
Eporwei Edike, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Zone ‘A’, disclosed
this while visiting the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council,
Barr. Hassan Bello, in Lagos.
Eporwei Edike, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Zone ‘A’, disclosed
this while visiting the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council,
Barr. Hassan Bello, in Lagos.
Edike
said the initiative, introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs(CGC),
Col. Hameed Ali(rtd.) would make the procedure for auctions more transparent
and involve input from the other agencies.
said the initiative, introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs(CGC),
Col. Hameed Ali(rtd.) would make the procedure for auctions more transparent
and involve input from the other agencies.
He
said that the importers associations would also be involved in the auction
committee as all auctions henceforth would be allocated ‘in the manner approved by the Board of the
Nigeria Customs Service.
said that the importers associations would also be involved in the auction
committee as all auctions henceforth would be allocated ‘in the manner approved by the Board of the
Nigeria Customs Service.
Edike said that the job of the committee would be to “ examine the containers,
write out the items as they are,” then the valuation officers of the Service
will give the value of the items.
write out the items as they are,” then the valuation officers of the Service
will give the value of the items.
He
told the shippers’ council boss that the zone had also concluded plans for
bigger stakeholders meetings, in order to create a forum to enlighten them more
on trading issues and help them work with positive thoughts.
told the shippers’ council boss that the zone had also concluded plans for
bigger stakeholders meetings, in order to create a forum to enlighten them more
on trading issues and help them work with positive thoughts.
On
the issue of delays in cargo clearance procedures, Edike said it would be a
good idea if all containers coming into the country were pre-scanned and images
stored and recalled on arrival of the containers.
the issue of delays in cargo clearance procedures, Edike said it would be a
good idea if all containers coming into the country were pre-scanned and images
stored and recalled on arrival of the containers.
He
added that such initiative would quicken the procedures as well as make the
operations more transparent.
added that such initiative would quicken the procedures as well as make the
operations more transparent.
Still
on the issue of operations and delays, the ACG debunked claims from some
quarters that over 100 signatures were required
at the ports to clear cargoes.
on the issue of operations and delays, the ACG debunked claims from some
quarters that over 100 signatures were required
at the ports to clear cargoes.
“I
don’t think that there is anywhere in our port where they need those kinds of
signatures to process clearance. From trader zone to customs, the inputs are
made into the system and no need for signatures.
don’t think that there is anywhere in our port where they need those kinds of
signatures to process clearance. From trader zone to customs, the inputs are
made into the system and no need for signatures.
“Signatures
only come in when there is an infraction and a DN is issued. And when this
happens, it is only the officer in
charge of valuation and the Area Controller who signs, and that is all,” Edike
said.
only come in when there is an infraction and a DN is issued. And when this
happens, it is only the officer in
charge of valuation and the Area Controller who signs, and that is all,” Edike
said.
Bello,
on his part, requested that both agencies should have more collaborations and
training sessions in order to check the problems of under-declaration and cargo
concealment that cause delays in clearance procedures.
on his part, requested that both agencies should have more collaborations and
training sessions in order to check the problems of under-declaration and cargo
concealment that cause delays in clearance procedures.
