Customs CG Vows To Prosecute Officers On Highways

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service;
Abdullahi Dikko Inde.

• Promises To Integrate Terminal Charges On Trade Hub

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dikko Inde Abdullahi has assured that the service is ready to fish out and prosecute officers who engage in stopping of dully-cleared containers from the ports on any highway in Nigeria.

Head of Customs ICT centre, Deputy Controller Bashir Yusuf dropped the hint yesterday at a stakeholders meeting to sensitize importers, exporters and freight forwarders on the new trade platforms developed by the service namely; the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) the Nigerian Trade Hub as well as the Single Window platform.

While speaking on some of the provisions of the PAAR which the service intends to deploy into use from January 1, 2014, Bashir said that any consignment that has passed through the green channel and dully cleared by customs will not be stopped by any officer at checkpoints on highways.

According to him, the Customs Comptroller General has empowered and deployed certain discreet groups to monitor activities of such officers, even as he vowed that they will be sanctioned.

"We will keep record of those who are stopping cargo that has been cleared through the PAAR, because it has been cleared by the customs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, so any other customs that stops the cargo that has been cleared through this process by the service is not working for Nigeria Custom Service", he declared.
"The Controller of the command will keep watch on such officers and the CGC is ready and willing to take action, this we can assure you" he said.

Bashir said that the service does not intend to see duplication of functions from government agencies by the time the PAAR kicks-off fully, saying that, "we are engaging in international best practices and we will be watching closely, the world is watching, and Nigerians are watching".   

He added that instances of 'low valuation' of cargoes and cargo 'customs alerts' which hitherto has generated a lot of complaints from freight forwarders and importers will no longer occurs under the implementation of the PAAR.

He however charged stakeholders to always submit factual and honest information to the customs in order to ensure speedy clearance of cargoes from the port as at when dew.

He also assured that the customs will write to terminal operator and shipping companies in order to integrate terminal charges and other relevant charges on the Nigerian Trade Hub, so as to reduce controversies and expedite cargo clearance.

"I assure you that we will meet with them and seat with their ICT departments to see how we can come about this before next month, it all depends on them." Bashir assured.

Speaking earlier, Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port, Mr. Charles Edike explained that the sensitization programme on the workings of the PAAR was directed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi.

Edike said that the service intends to take over its function from destination inspection service providers by end of December and that the essence of the sensitization is to ensure that round pegs are put in round holes.

"The CG has directed us to have this because in a short time we will take charge and we don't want to begin making errors, the international community is watching, and there must not be mistakes" Edike said.

The sensitization was attended by stakeholders, including licensed customs agents and government agencies.
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