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Tag: NCS

  • Customs, police, agents in row over extortion

    Customs, police, agents in row over extortion

    What do agents have against the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the police and other agencies at the ports? The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) is accusing Customs, police, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Plant Quarantine Service (PQS) of extortion.

    But Customs and police deny the claim, accusing ANLCA of attempting to compromise their operatives.

    Customs claimed that the agents made insincere declaration and tried to compromise officers to bend the rules.

    A senior officer at the port also told The Nation that the police have the right to investigate cases of stealing, false declaration and forgery.

    “Our job at the port is to maintain law and order. But when we receive complaint about stealing and forgery, are the agents telling us that we should look the other way and not investigate the matter?

    The group had said: “We want to inform the Federal Government and the general public that ANLCA may seek self-help by withdrawing our services from the ports until the unchecked extortion in the port is stopped.”

    It alleged that in the last eight months, its members had been constantly extorted by Customs’ officers and there has not been any intervention from the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC).

    ANLCA noted that the Pre-arrival Assessment Reports (PAAR) was a good innovation of the last administration of Customs under Abdullahi Dikko, but the PAAR has been bastardised under Alli.

    “Agents, unlike before now, cannot state precisely how much they can use to clear cargoes from the port because of the preponderance  of extortion and interventions by various units of Customs, including valuation, query and amendments, CIU and so on.

    “We now have situations whereby more than one PAAR is issued on one consignment and the PAAR is constantly queried,” they said.

    ANLCA also alleged that the Plant Quarantine usually stops the release of imported consignment under various excuses.

    “We now have a situation where different departments of Police now write to stop the release of cargoes under the pretext that they were investigating cases of stealing, false declaration and forgery.

    The group urged the Federal Government and the Ministers of Finance and Transport to investigate the matter.

    But Customs Tin-Can Island command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr Chris Osunkwo described the allegation as baseless and fabricated.

    He said if any importer disobeys any import law, Customs has the power to prevent the goods from exiting the gate through the various mechanism it has put in place.

    The Customs, Osunkwo said, has the power to delay or intercept any container that is against the Federal Government’s fiscal policy.

    “When you fail to document properly, Customs will ask you questions in order to ensure transparency and standard.

    “We have always said that whenever you make an honest declaration, Customs will release your goods within the stipulated period.

    “The Customs is concerned with revenue generation for the country and security of what comes in and goes out of the country.

    He said importers should be blamed whenever goods were delayed at the port because of improper declaration.

    Osunkwo urged clearing agents, importers and other port users to play by the rules to avoid delays.

    The motive, he said, was to ensure that no importer or clearing agent succeeded in shortchanging the government.

    He urged importers and clearing agents to always obey the rules

    ANLCA also accused the Federal Government of contributing to the extortion because its emphasis on revenue generation rather than trade facilitation by the Customs.

    ANLCA said it is time for the government to strike a balance between trade facilitation and revenue generation by the Customs.

    ANLCA also accused the Police and other government agencies at the ports of hampering cargo delivery process and time.

  • NCS probes incident with FAAN staff

    NCS probes incident with FAAN staff

    The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is probing the clash involving its officer and an official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), over right-of-way near the Palace Gate of the Cargo Terminal.

    The probe, according to the spokesperson of the NCS Airport Command, Thelma Williams, would establish the veracity of the claim by FAAN official that a Customs officer attacked him near the Palace Gate over right-of-way.

    She said preliminary findings by Customs showed that the officer was not trying to enter the Palace Gate as alleged by the FAAN staff.

    But the officer made a turn towards the Hajj Camp axis of the road, when the FAAN staff, blocked his car.

    She said the Customs officer was not taken to the Airport Police Station over the matter, but reported officially.

    Williams said it was important to clear the air on the matter because of the rumour that the Customs officer beat up the FAAN staff and damaged his car.

    She said: “At no time did our officer try or attempt to access the monument gate as being alleged. Rather, the officer veered off the road to drop off a friend only to be barricaded by a FAAN staff in the company of four FAAN workers.

    “He tried to inquire the reason for the barricade and this led to an argument which culminated into a scuffle.

    “There was never a point that our officer was taken to the police station as reported in the press. The incident was a misunderstanding of right of use of way on the Airport Boulevard.”

  • Customs seizes N360m goods

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, has seized N360 million worth of goods.

    The goods were seized following a fresh approach adopted by the zone in its operations, it was learnt.

    Its key performance index (KPI), it was learnt, is based on the number of  seizures being made by the enforcement arm of the service.

    The unit, findings revealed, has raised the standard of its anti-smuggling campaign and was evident from the quality and quantity of seizures made in recent times.

    When The Nation visited the Government Warehouse, where the seized goods are kept, the volume of the seizure confirmed the unit’s claim.

    The seized items included 3,374 bags of various sizes of parboiled rice, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N22,093,500; 11,854 cartons of poultry products  with a DPV of N64,011,600.00;  35 vehicles; 2,003 jerry cans of vegetable oil and assorted general merchandise, including newand used textiles materials; new and used footwears; new and used hand bags; used tyres; electrical pad; fridges; furniture; soaps and detergents among others.

    The new approach of combating smugglers, it gathered, was introduced after the regular meetings the Comptroller-General, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd) and the management team had with a few Controllers of Federal Operations Units, the Eastern/Western marine commands, the Customs Intelligence Unit and valuation officers.

    The approach, according to findings, has enhanced and strengthened surveillance in all approved and unapproved routes used by the smugglers to circumvent the Federal Government’s policy on trade.

    Speaking with The Nation after the facility tour of the government warehouse and workshop area of the unit, Umar Mohammed Dahiru said his officers and men are determined to suppress smuggling in their area of operation.

    He said that the Customs management and the Comptroller-General are fully committed to ensuring that the service does not renege in its core functions of revenue collection, suppression of smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade and provision of security along the waterways and the border amidst other adhoc assignments.

    “The latest approach became necessary in view of the fact that there is a compelling need to design appropriate templates to fight smuggling in view of its devastating effect on the nation’s economy.

    “There have been regular meetings between our Comptroller-General and some selected Controllers of FOUs, the Eastern/Western marine commands, the Customs Intelligent Unit as well as valuation units. These meeting were usually convened to find practical solution to some infractions, which do not augur well for the socio-economic development of our country.

    “The service, more than ever before, is looking inwards in conjunction with critical stakeholders to find a lasting solution to areas where revenue is suspected to be lost with a view to blocking them. Despite the concerted effort of our officers and men, the  Service cannot claim to have all the solutions because no country in the world can claim to have completely eradicated smuggling,” Dahiru said.

    The Controller told The Nation that a truck load of fairly used tyres, consisting 1,198 pieces was intercepted a few days ago, by the Controller’s Monitoring Team ‘B’ Idiroko Axis, led by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Jatau Micah.

    The seizure, he said, came as a result of the painstaking effort of the team and their renewed vigour and enhanced surveillance. The Duty Paid Value of the used tyres N6,469,200 and they have been deposited at the government warehouse of the unit.

    Reacting to questions regarding Presidential directive on sending food items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, the Controller confirmed that the Unit have started complying, he, however, stated that such items were usually subjected to test through the NAFDAC to ensure that they are good for human consumption.

    He, however, vowed that the service will continue to perform its core responsibility and lives up to government’s expectations.

    Dahiru appealed to Nigerians to support the service in its fight against smuggling.

  • Customs seizes N9.9m poultry products, fish

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1,263 cartons of poultry products and frozen fish worth over N9.9 million.

    The items, concealed in a Volvo truck, were seized by the Headquarters Special Assignment Team ‘C’, Ogun State Axis. The team was led by Assistant Comptroller of Customs Shittu Almarof.

    The Volvo truck with registration number LND 298 XN was intercepted for random check on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.

    Almarof told The Nation that the occupants of the truck gave themselves away by their suspicious behaviour.

    “Therefore, a casual search was conducted on the truck even though the occupants had earlier told the team that the truck was carrying frozen fish.

    “The truck was brought down to the headquarters of Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja-Lagos, where physical examination confirmed that the truck carried 785 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products concealed with 478 cartons of frozen fish.

    “The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the items is N9,975,000.

    “We are working assiduously and in close collaboration with other anti-smuggling outfits in the zone to deal very decisively with the hydra- headed monster of smuggling. We have the responsibility to complement the effort of allied teams in the Zone in view of the need to frontally tackle smuggling within the South-West and its environ,” he said.

    Almarof reiterated his determination to rid the zone of smugglers with the collaboration of communities on unapproved routes, who information on their activities.

    “The Headquarters  Special Assignment Team is doing everything  with other anti-smuggling units namely the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ and state commands to ensure the protection of the interest of local investors in the agric sector and other critical areas.

    “We were given a specific mandate at inception to aggressively patrol all flanks and flashpoints within the Zone and ensure total blockade of such identified areas. The capacity of the team has been strengthened to meet the exigencies of the moment”. If you look at the parameters, you will agree with me that the heat is on these smugglers and we will do everything humanly possible to pre-empt them with a view to wreaking havoc.

    “It is on the basis of this, that we request the support of patriotic informants to avail the service and the team of genuine information that can help us track them. I wish to reiterate at this juncture that the task of eradicating smuggling within our domain remains the responsibility of all Nigerians and we must not renege on this responsibility, because posterity and history will not be fair to us if we fail to do the needful.

    “We must realise that we have a duty to safeguard the economy from the hands of economic saboteurs who are bent on destroying our economy and that is why we commended the team leader, Ismaila Umar for the good work,” he said.

    He promised to work in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) and his management which is anchored on integrity, transparency and accountability. He appreciated the support of the NCS Management and vowed not to let them down.

  • Guidelines on disposal of seized, overtime goods out

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has approved a new procedure for the disposal of seized and overtime goods in its bid to address some of the perceived irregularities relating to past procedure including fake online auctions.

    It confirmed that it is setting up four different committees to handle the disposal of these categories of goods. The committees include an Assessment Committee, Disposal Committee, Seizure Committee and Overtime Committee.

    According to the new guidelines endorsed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd), perishable items with or without defendants are to be properly disposed of by the relevant committee.

    Goods classified as general goods are to be disposed of after condemnation by a competent court of law: “Condemnation shall be done after 30 days of seizure, so far as there is no notice of claim or litigation.”

    The guidelines also stipulated that all overtime cargoes are to be published in the Federal Government’s gazette when they fall due over 30 days.

    Under the new dispensation, the NCS will advertise information on seized and overtime goods for disposal with their reserve prices in the media and on its official website. The authorities enjoined interested buyers to apply online, specifying items of interest to the committee on disposal, adding that applications must be accompanied with an approved means of identification such as a National Identity card, International Passport or Driver’s Licence, in addition to a recent passport photograph scanned onto the dedicated portal on the website.

  • Customs eyes over N1tr revenue

    Customs eyes over N1tr revenue

    The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hammed Alli  (rtd) yesterday reiterated the determination of the service to exceed N1trillion revenue  this year by plugging all leakages and ensuring that the system works perfectly.

    He however said the NCS was yet to get its 2016 revenue target from the  Budget Office.

    Alli spoke with reporters at 2016 International  Customs Day celebration at the NCS Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

    He said: “We have not received the target from the Budget Office yet. But we normally set target for ourselves. We are looking at targeting all we could, blocking all the revenue leakages and making sure that all the systems work perfectly. And hopefully, the policy of government will also be in our favour. We hope to cross the N1trillion mark.”

    Alli said the NCS  fund raising method is a factor of trade facilitation that is  based on export and import, adding that he would strive to block leakages and ensure that the system worked perfectly.

    He said once that is achieved, the NCS would collect the accurate duty and deposit in the Federal Government vault.

    “Ours is dependent on trade facilitation. It is dependent on export and  import. What we will do inward is to be able to re-invigorate our own system, block all the leakages and make sure the system is working perfectly.

    “With that, once we get influx of export, import and collect the right duty, we will put it in the coffer of government,” he said.

    On assets declaration, Alli noted that the officers of the NCS were already complying. He however vowed to apply the law on officers that refuse to comply with the asset declaration directive.

    He said: “I believe my officers are obedient.  And when we get there and they don’t comply, we will apply the law as it is. But for now I am sure they will comply. “

    He warned operatives and stakeholders of the service not to abuse the e-customs process.

    He insisted that any attempt to compromise the system will not be tolerated.

    He said: “In line with the change mantra of the present government, let me therefore remind all operatives and stakeholders alike not to abuse the process and corrupt the system. Any act calculated to distort and compromise the integrity of the e-customs will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate sanctions.”

  • Smugglers flood Nigeria with expired rice

    Smugglers flood Nigeria with expired rice

    Smugglers seem to have taken over the Nigerian rice market, flooding it with substandard and expired brands.

    Hundreds of trailers have been crossing the porous borders unchallenged – a development that is endangering the country’s plans to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production.

    Industry sources and consumers have urged the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to curb smuggling. They also want the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to step up the inspection of rice stored at several locations in the country. Supply of expired and poisonous rice to unsuspecting consumers could rapidly develop into a major health disaster if left unchecked, a source said yesterday.

    Stakeholders have urged the Presidency to urgently step in by directing the regulatory agencies to take action to prevent the outbreak of diseases.

    Given the unmet demand of more than three million tonnes annually and owing to inadequate local production, rice consumption needs are currently limited to legal imports with high import tariff and lack of cohesive policy.

    Legal importers paying full tariff of 70 per cent will never be able to compete with smugglers who enjoy a free ride into the market, aided by negligible tariffs in neighbouring Cameroon and Republic of Benin and taking advantage of porous borders. To add to these woes, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also barred rice importers from accessing foreign exchange through its window.

    The resultant shortage in the market is now being exploited by smugglers, who prospered significantly in 2013 when they smugled around 2.5 million tonnes of rice into the country through the borders, without paying any duty. In 2013, the Federal Government increased rice importation tariff to 110 per cent as against zero duty regime administered in Benin and Cameroon.

    The National Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (NRMAN) has complained that the NCS erred in its decision to lift the ban on rice importation through land borders. Its chairman said if the NCS succeeds in its decision, it would erode the gains achieved by the previous administration in the country’s rice value chain.

  • How to bridge skilled IT gap, by NCS

    • To honour SGF, FIRS chair, others

    The Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) has said the widening information communication technology (ICT) skilled manpower gap in the country could only be bridged if the public sector collaborates with the private sector to provide the funding needed for learning tools, research and development in the tertiary institutions in the country.

    Its President, Prof. Adesola Aderounmu who spoke on the sidelines of a press conference ahead the group’s annual National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA) at the weekend in Lagos, said any nation that wants to develop a knowledge-based economy must develop its institutions of higher learning where knowledge is imparted on the youths.

    “From the point of view of somebody with responsibility to impart knowledge, primarily, one of the core mandates of the university system is to produce skilled manpower for the economy. This is further complemented at different levels by the polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education.

    “However, inadequate funding has been the challenge of most of these institutions especially for science-oriented courses requiring laboratories. One way forward is to nurture a mutually benefitting relationship between the industry and the institutions. If some of the products of these institutions will have to work in the industry, it makes sense for the industry to also invest in their training.

    “In developed world, companies set up laboratories in the universities. I look forward to Nigerian companies doing similar things here,” Prof Aderoumu said.

    Speaking earlier on the 2015 NITMA, he said the event is designed to honour and reward excellence and outstanding contributions in Nigeria’s IT industry. “It is an event to honour those who have made a giant stride and significant impact in expanding the frontiers of IT in Nigeria. It is a night of awards to celebrate the best of Nigerian IT creativity and innovation that has fundamentally changed, and is still changing the nation;  winners are recognised for being inspiring symbols of the IT community. It is honour well deserved. Nigeria, not just the IT community, owes them a huge debt of gratitude,” he said, adding that the ceremony will take place at Mosun Centre Onikan Lagos on November 26.

    He said professional fellowship would be bestowed on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, Executive Chairman Federal inland Revenue Services (FIRS) will receive special recognition award while honourary fellowship will go to Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe Vice Chancellor National Open University Nigeria, for his continuing and outstanding contribution to IT development; and Mr Yusuf Kazaure MD/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited for his innovative technological ideas and broadband.

    IT Personality of the year nominees are  CEO,  MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke; CEO, Omatek, Mrs Florence Seriki; CEO, MIS, Mr Etim Amana; and Regional Director RLG, Tosin Ilesanmi.

    Founder Chams Plc, Sir Demola Aladekomo, CEO, Condata Systems, Dr. Chris Nwannenna, and  the Permanent Secretary (Political Affairs) Office of the SGF, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, would receive special recognition awards too.

     

     

     

     

  • Customs generates N747b in 10 months

    Customs generates N747b in 10 months

    The Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS) has generated N747 billion as revenue in the last 10 months its Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (retd).

    The NCS chief who spoke  yesterday at the Illela border post in Sokoto while addressing officers and men of the service in continuation of his tour of formnations under the Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara Command, said the target given to the service by the Federal Government was  N 944 billion, promising to meet it “or surpass it.”

    He said : “Unless we can generate N100 billion monthly, we cannot meet the target.  If all the leakages are blocked, and everybody do the right thing, the service can generate over N1.2 trillion during the year .’’

    The former Military Administrator further stressed the need for all officers and men to uphold discipline, integrity, honesty and transparency while underscoring the need to shore up the revenue base of the service, to enable the government to meet the needs of Nigerians.

    The Customs chief also directed officers and men of the service at the land borders to do more to stop the importation of small arms.

    ‘’These arms could be used by insurgents, armed robbers and kidnappers to cause a breach of the security of lives and property of law abiding Nigerians,” he said.

    Ali  urged residents of the border communities to be patriotic stressing that they should also know that smuggling is a punishable offence and should therefore not b a way of life.