The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NCS

  • Customs seizes goods worth N5m

    The Monitoring Team headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Axis, led by Yahaya Usman, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACC), has intercepted a man diesel truck carrying large quantity of prohibited goods on Lagos/Shagamu expressway.

    The truck was laden with 626 pieces of used tyres; 152 cartons of ceramic tiles; 11 pieces of plastic bowls; 266 pieces of flower ports and 86 bundles of plastic containers among other items estimated at N5 million, The Nation learnt.

    The patrol team, led by Yahaya Usman, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACC), following a tip-off, trailed the truck to a low-risk area along the road before intercepting it to avert any operational hiccups.

    The Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Turaki Usman Adamu, told  The Nation that “the team led by Usman acted on a tip off and intercepted a Man diesel truck with registration no AGB 106 ZD along the Lagos/Shagamu expressway. In line with the practice of ensuring 100 per cent physical examination on such suspected vehicles; the truck was taken to the FOU office at Ikeja where examination was conducted and the prohibited items uncovered. From the physical examination, it was evident that all those other items were carefully conceal in 626 fairly used tyres.

    “The goods are in clear contravention of Sections 46 & 47 of the Customs & Excise Management act Cap C45, 2004 as amended.”

    Turaki said the seized items has a DPV of N4,684,260.00 and commended the team for their consistent operational exploits and determination to collaborate with the unit in fighting smuggling.

    On the incessant attacks on Customs operatives by hoodlums and street urchins in some of the volatile areas, Turaki pledged that the concept of Customs Community Cooperation (CCC) would be resuscitated and given top priority attention. This is in view of its tendency to create a platform for sensitisation and education of the public’s on the consequences of obstructing Customs operations.

    “Synergy with critical stakeholders is panacea for mutual understanding and healthy relationship between the NCS and community dwellers, who sometimes tend to be ignorant of the socio-economic consequences of smuggling.

    He called for the support of Nigerians through genuine information/intelligence for the actualisation of this statutory mandate”.

    He stated that investigation is ongoing to unravel those behind the illegal importation with a view to ensuring that all their illicit supply chains are blocked. Turaki also promised to leave no stone unturned in his quest to completely eradicate smuggling in his area of coverage.

    The team’s leader expressed deep satisfaction with the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko and his management for their support and the confidence reposed in his team.

    Usman said since inception, the team has contributed immensely to the seizure profile of the service to justify the essence of its creation.

  • Customs trains officers on use of AK47

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is training its personnel at the Western Marine Command in Apapa, Lagos, on how to handle Ak47 rifles.

    It is all in the spirit of the renewed anti-smuggling war.

    Officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A in Ikeja, it was learnt, are in charge of the exercise.

    The Marine Command Controller, Umar Yusuf, said the training would be in batches.

    He said the service has changed from using G3 to AK47, adding that it is to make the officers more effective when dealing with smugglers.

    “At a follow up meeting held in Abuja two weeks ago with Deputy Comptroller General in charge of enforcement, inspection and investigation, we deliberated at length and I talked on the need to get my officers trained on AK47”

    “As we await the arrival of the sea going vessels, we also need to equip our officers on some equipment to checkmate illicit acts on waters; like bunkering and other anti-economic activities.

    “There is need for officers to be well equipped with sophisticated weapons because the dare-devil sea robbers are also using modern weapons and that is why we need it,” he said.

    A total of 37 officers of the command, he said, would be the first set to undergo the training.

    He said the training by men of the Federal Operations Unit is in line with the synergy that exist within the service.

    Its Public Relations Officer (PRO) Ngozi Okwarra, said with the training, officers and men of the command wouldl be able to deal with smugglers at sea.

    She said the G3 rifles are manually operated and assured that with the AK47 training for officers, the command will make more arrest of the smugglers. “The presence of our officers on waters will be more effective than before,” she said.

    The Deputy Comptroller-General, Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Mr Musa Tahir, also said the service has increased its anti-smuggling campaigns to arrest and prosecute smugglers

    “For  us in the NCS, we prefer to make seizure with the defendants, because we sincerely believe when you convict people, it serves more as a deterrent than when you confiscate the goods and dispose them off.

    “When you do that, they don’t feel the pain because many smugglers are rich people, they don’t feel the pain. So, we prefer to convict you, send you to court of justice, so that when you come out tomorrow and you want to be a senator in your village, you will not be allowed because you are a convict.

    “When officials of the service intercepted any good, the first thing we do is to check whether that item, cargo or whatever it is, is absolute prohibition,” he said.

    Thair said absolute prohibition include commodities not allowed into the country, even if it was a piece like firearm, used clothing and hard drugs.

    According to him, goods in such category are always seized immediately, while unaccustomed goods are often detained for a maximum period of 30 days to allow the owner defend it.

    He explained that “unaccustomed goods’’ are goods that do not fall into prohibited category, but are brought in without payment of necessary duties.

    “Whatever you bring in, even if it is something that is legal, you cannot import into the country, provided you have not paid the duties, it is uncustomed and it is an act of smuggling. So, the customs is supposed to seize it and apply the appropriate law.

    “But in  this kind of situation, you need to check whether it has been declared; whether there is documentation on it; whether duty has been paid on it. So, you need sometimes to check.

    “These days, it does not take long for us to find out whether there is documentation on it and whether duties have been paid on it or not because our systems are completely automated,” he said.

    The Customs chief added that where it proved difficult to verify the goods immediately, the law provided that the NCS could detain up to 30 days for investigation to be carried out.

    He said if after 30 days the defendant did not show up, the goods would be converted into seizure and taken to the Federal High Court where a competent judge would condemn it.

    “And when it is condemned, the cargo, the vehicle, the goods or whatever it is, becomes a government property and it is disposed by the service,” he said.

    On why Customs still impounded goods bought within the country, he said smugglers are clever people, who could hide their goods anywhere before selling them to unsuspecting traders.

    He said if there were credible information that a particular vehicle was carrying smuggled goods, customs officers would stop such vehicle and check.

    “If there is credible information that a particular cargo has not paid duty, we crosscheck and if we find out that you have paid duty, we release you with an apology.

    “But if we crosscheck and you have not paid any duty, we will keep you in the same offence like somebody who brought it from the border and you will face the music,” Thair said

  • Customs loses over N48b to waivers

    • ‘Policy should be reviewed to reflect economic reality’

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) lost over N48 billion to waivers between January and December, last year, The Nation has learnt.

    An official of the Ministry of Finance, who asked not to be named, said over N25.8 billion was lost between January and May.

    Justifying the waivers, the official said they were incentives used to support the private sector because of some of the regulatory challenges in the domestic business environment.

    According to him, sectors that benefited from waivers are hospitality, power, aviation and agriculture. There are also, solid minerals, steel and manufacturing.

    “There are also additional programmes, such as the Export Expansion Grant Scheme, designed to promote non-oil exports. These sectors are seen as strategic areas, which can stimulate growth, support diversification of the economy, and create jobs.

    “In the past, waivers were granted to individual businesses in an approach that resulted in rent-seeking behaviours and an uneven playing field for other businesses. It was precisely the need to stop such a discretionary approach that led to reforms by the Economic Management Team.

    “A sector-wide waiver policy was introduced to provide specific incentives for some strategic, job-creating sectors. Under this regime, all businesses in a sector have access to the same incentives.

    “In addition, some waivers and exemptions make up for gaps in our economy; for example, waivers to bring in vehicles for sporting events and conferences,” the official said.

    On the implication of the waivers to remittances into the Federation Account and seven per cent revenue accruals to Customs, he said: “We have to weigh the balance between putting money into the Federation Account, collecting Customs revenues and providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths to providing the necessary incentives for private sector operators to stimulate growth and development. The government felt it has responsibility to perform in terms of job creation and see to the local production of some of the goods we consume.”

    But some Customs officers are worried by the loss because of dwindling resources from falling oil price and naira devaluation.

    About N55.96 billion, N55.34 billion and N59.42 billion were lost to waivers in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    A senior official, who pleaded not to be named, advocated a periodic review of concessions and waivers to determine if they are necessary.

    The official said the concessions should be reviewed in tune with present economic reality.

    “The government needs to encourage local industries to grow but the concession and waivers agreements must be sealed with the interest of majority of Nigerians at heart,” he said.

    The official observed that the waivers were being exploited by beneficiaries, noting that the government had been granting waivers and concessions to companies and individuals without consideration for its economic implications.

    He urged the government to review its tax incentive policies and stop arbitrary granting of concessions and waivers that undermine use of the tax as a means of revenue generation from the ports.

  • NCS insists electronic voting is practicable

    NCS insists electronic voting is practicable

    With  few days to the general elections and the possibility of most voters getting disenfanchised as a result of inability to collect the permanent voter card (PVC), the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) has urged the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Federal Government to look in the direction of electronic voting.

    NCS said if e-Voting is adopted, it will not only be cost efficient, but also  erase whatever doubt the electorate might have concerning  the electoral umpire in terms of its being  biased.

    Its President, Prof. David Adewumi who spoke with The Nation said there is no basis why the country should not adopt e-voting which the  Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) have used a couple of time with great success.

    He said: “Our position in the NCS remains the same. We are ripe for e-voting. When you look at e-voting, it is no longer rocket  science. The major requirement is the infrastructure, I mean  the information technology (IT) equipment, capacity  building. Then INEC must provide the purposeful leadership  that is required to deploy the technology and consequently, e-voting. I think that is all that is needed. There no space  science to that.”

    On the low level of computer literacy and personal computers (PC) ownership in  the country, the NCS chief said it is not true that the level of computer literacy in the country is  alarming.

    According to him, the old people in the villages use mobile phones, adding that keyboard of the mobile phone is even smaller than the  ones on the PC. “Yes, the old people in the village now use mobile phones. So, what is it about low level of computer  literacy you are talking about? The key board for the mobile phone is smaller than that of the PC. I think what is required is determination to ensure it succeeds,” Prof Adewumi said.

    Namibia became the first African country to adopt the e-voting technology with the Southern African country using it during its election last year. The e-Voting Machines, or EVMs, were acquired at a cost of 24 million Namibia dollars from an Indian company and according to the company, they are equipped with technology that is designed to eliminate flaws and address the scepticism of some political parties questioning the transparency of that country’s electoral umpire.

    The machines have features such as candidates’ photos, political parties together with other information next to the casting button. Voters will just have to click on their preferred candidate or party during elections to vote.

    It would also berecalled that India successfully used half-a-million EVMs of the same type during its 2009 general elections. The EVM was used to choose 96 members of Namibia’s National Assembly and one of nine presidential candidates, ranging from the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters to the white minority Republican Party. About 1.2 million Namibians reportedly cast their  ballots at nearly 4,000 electronic voting stations across  the country.

  • N4.5m poultry products seized

    N4.5m poultry products seized

    The Headquarters Monitoring Team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Axis, has intercepted a truck on the Sagamu/Ijebu-Ode Expressway carrying foreign poultry products.

    The truck had 850 cartons of the poultry products concealed with other contrabands worth over N4.5million.

    The patrol team, led by Yahaya Usman, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACC), trailed the vehicle, following a tip-off.

    The two male passengers escaped into the bush when they saw Customs officials pursuing them.

    The Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja,  Turaki Usman Adamu, said when the truck was searched, 850 cartons of poultry products were found.

    He thanked the operatives for their vigilance and urged them to continue the good work.

  • How import duty waivers, concessions deplete economy

    The inability of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to meet its N1.2 trillion revenue target last year has been attributed to the indiscriminate waivers granted by the federal government  to companies and individuals listed and not listed under, or covered by Schedule Two of the Common External Tariff for import duty exemptions.

    A senior terminal operator who craved anonymity, told The Nation that despite the N20billion waivers granted the energy companies between January and May last year, all the terminals at the Lagos ports still depended on private sources of power. He said the trend is worrisome because there appears to be no end in sight.

    The official complained that they use between six and eight drums of diesel everyday to power their generators and other equipment. He attributed the high cost of goods clearance at the ports to the failure of  government to power the ports despite the fact that it was part of the concession agreement for it to do so.

    “Last year, the Federal Government said, based on its commitment to tackling the epileptic power situation in the country, and addressing the issue of estimated billing, it  granted about N19.662 billion in waivers and exemption to energy firms in the country between January and May last year and the effect of it is yet to seen anywhere, not even the ports where the Federal Government generates several billions of naira every week.

    “As far as many of us operating at the ports are concerned, some of the waivers granted by government are favoured waivers that violate all known anti-trust laws and deplete the nation’s economy,” the official said.

    The official lamented that most Nigerian rulers behave as if they have no stake in the country, lamenting that they run the system without  conscience.

    “Our rulers have failed to demonstrate to us that they are leaders. They have failed to display the required patriotism to move the people and the country forward,” he said, adding that import duty waivers, exemptions and concessions which are used to protect local businesses and jobs elsewhere, have been abused many times in the country, causing huge losses to the economy.

    He alleged that those responsible for granting the waivers have abused the system, and denied the country and the economy the much-needed revenues with  attendant benefits associated with it. He wondered why there is no power at the ports despite the huge amount of money generated from it and the waivers granted by the government for imported equipment.

    Investigation also revealed that all Customs offices at the Lagos ports including the offices belonging to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other government agencies, run on power generating plants 24 hours. The NCS at the Tin-Can Port alone uses over five drums of diesel everyday to deliver its core function of trade facilitation and revenue generation.

     

    Some benefiting firms

    Waivers and exemptions amounting to about N19.662 billion were granted to energy firms in the country in five months, between January and May last year. The amount is 51.23 per cent of the N38.381 billion allocated to the Ministry of Water Resources in the 2014 budget; 31.48 per cent of the N62.45 billion allocated to Power; 31.75 per cent of the N61.928 billion allocated to Petroleum Resources and 29.5 per cent of the N66.645 billion allocated to agriculture.

    Data from the Budget Office of the Federation, Ministry of Finance, showed that oil and gas firms enjoyed about N18.881 billion in waivers and exemptions, while power companies enjoyed N780 million.

    Government said based on its  commitment to tackling epileptic power situation in the country and the need to address the issue of estimated billing, it was extending N326.174 million grant in exemptions to two pre-paid electricity meter companies for the importation of metering facilities. The companies are Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited and Mojec International Limited.

    Specifically, Momas got two exemptions: the first was for N32.272 million for the importation of semi-knocked down meters and three-phase normal credit meters, as well as one and three-phase standard pre-payment meters and all other related equipment.

    The second exemption, amounting to N163.69 million was for the importation of meter plastic machines and accessories, compression mould machine and all other meter related equipment.

    Mojec International, on the other hand, got N130.213 million in exemption for the importation of machinery/equipment and components for single and three-phase pre-paid meters.

    Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited, accounted for 53.4 per cent, or N10billion  of the total waivers and exemptions granted to energy firms in the period under review. It enjoyed a N6.96 billion waiver for the importation of its machinery, equipment and spare parts for the utilisation of  natural gas meant to bring about an increase in power generation.

    The company was also granted a N3.54 billion waiver for the importation of fertiliser equipment, catalysts and chemicals, pile and spare parts, among others.

    Also, Chevron Nigeria Limited enjoyed a waiver of N4.88 billion for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts for the Escravos Gas to Liquids (EGTL) plant, and a host of other pipelines.

    United Cement Company of Nigeria got N1.969 billion in exemption for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts aimed at boosting natural gas utilisation and power supply.

    NIPCO Plc also got N1.087 billion in exemption for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts.

    Other energy firms that got waivers and exemptions in the period under review include Green Fuels Limited–N14.37 million, for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts for compressed natural gas (CNG) to Independent Power Plants (IPPs). Edo Cement Company Limited got N240 million for the importation of gas generators, plants, machinery, equipment and spare parts.

    Accugas Limited got N30.87 million in exemption for machinery, equipment and spare parts for pipeline while Exterran Nigeria Limited got N66.09 million in exemption for the acquisition of natural gas powered compressors and spare parts.  Procter and Gamble was not let out of the spreee as it got N29.754 million in exemption for machinery, equipment and spares.

    Others are Sumal Foods Limited – N42.878 million; Federal Ministry of Power/Marubeni Engineering Corporation – N454.185 million and De United Foods Industries Limited – N19.978 million.

     

    Waivers in other countries

     

    The President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, said import duty waivers are mechanisms employed by countries to meet their economic goals, especially in protecting local industries, creating jobs, promoting exports, as well as generating and preserving foreign exchange.

    Shittu explained that  waivers are  also used to exclude local industries from paying import duty on certain goods for a fixed period. Countries such as Malaysia, Japan, India, China and others, at various times, have used import duty waivers, concessions and exemptions to protect and build their local manufacturing, agricultural, textile and motor industries. Today, all these countries have become export-oriented economic power giants, he said.

     

    Waivers in Nigeria

     

    Part of the objectives of the waivers in Nigeria, the ANLCA chief said, are to boost local industries, make the much-needed raw materials or goods available in the short-term and generate employment.

    However, he said for many years,  none of these lofty objectives has been achieved, saying most of the local industries have closed shops for lack of raw materials, resulting in the growing army of the jobless in the country.

    Investigations have shown that some organisations that got waivers for equipment used them to import furniture, cars, clothings and other luxuries that have no direct impact on the economy.

     

    Waivers, foreign firms and job loss

    The Managing Director, Nigeria Gas and Steel Limited, Hasib Moukarim, said indiscriminate grant of waivers to foreign firms by the Federal Government has led to the loss of several billions of naira and millions of jobs.

    He said  government should end the regime of waivers and concessions to importers of finished products, stressing that such waivers were depleting government’s earnings, while enriching foreign firms.

    He said for the Customs to meet its revenue target this year, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office and the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, must synergise and ensure that the waivers achieve its objectives.

    He urged Nigerians to defend the interest of local manufacturers against government’s unfavourable policies and foreign domination of the nation’s emerging market.

    “When finished goods are brought into the country duty-free, we are directly creating employment for workers of the foreign companies because such goods imported with waivers will become cheaper than the locally produced ones and this will increase the demand and sale of foreign manufacturers,” Moukarin said.

    He said by granting waivers to foreign companies, locally produced goods have become more expensive while demand had gone down. He noted that this development is threatening the survival of local companies that the waivers were designed to protect.

    “This type of scenario has forced many companies to retrench substantial percentage of their workforce with the consequence of worsening the unemployment situation in the country,” he said.

    He said for any company to qualify for waiver, or concession, the Federal Ministries of Finance as well as Industry, Trade and Investment should  conduct a thorough investigations to verify the authenticity of the items the beneficiaries intend to import  without paying duty.

    Local manufacturers have complained in the past that some foreign companies are abusing waivers by importing more than what they need for their projects and flooding the market with the surplus, thereby killing local industries.

     

     Minister of Finance, NCS disagree over figures

     

    The controversy over the accuracy of the data and figures on the value of the waivers and concessions is made more curious by the contradictions in the figures given as waivers by the Comptroller General, NCS, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

    Abdullahi who spoke on the floor of the National Assembly when he was invited to explain  the shortfalls in projected revenue last year, said in the last three years, the country had lost N1.4 trillion to import waivers.  But Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said the amount was N171 billion.

    A senior NCS officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said more than 65 per cent of beneficiaries received the grant for goods not approved by the government, which ordinarily should be limited to raw materials, machinery and spare parts.

    A memo signed by the Minister of State, Finance, Yerima Ngama, and dated December 11, 2013, explained that the Federal Government has expanded the scope of the Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate (NDCC) to cover “other goods,” a decision, Mr. Ngama said, was reached by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    Investigation however showed that the list of beneficiaries include private individuals and businesses whose imports appear not valuable to the economy.

    The Customs officer said there were so many questionable waivers. For instance, he said, a total of N91.506 billion was given as concessions to 290 beneficiaries between January and December 31, 2011. He said one of the firms which he claimed was the biggest beneficiary, got N32.774 billion, stating that there was no indication about the line of business for which it was granted the incentive.

    Besides, he alleged that about N389.15 billion was granted to 149 entities in 2011 through concessions on fuel, lubricants and allied businesses. He said the list included major oil marketers that received over N145.7 billion worth of waivers. He added that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and a few other companies received about N143 billion in waivers as well.

    For 2012, the Customs official said a total of N191.545 billion was granted to 416 beneficiaries, including individuals and private businesses, adding that  another 287 beneficiaries, got a total of N83.260billion in concessions and waivers for imports between January  and end of September last year.

    He alleged that a major motor dealer was granted N698.177million for importing fully built four-wheel drive motor vehicles, motorised tanks and other armoured  vehicles. Between 2010 and 2013, records showed that the motor firm received about N2.46billion concession from the government for the importation of vehicles valued at about N7.932billion.

    A senior official, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Ben Ndee, said import duty waivers in Nigeria only serve as a tool to enrich politicians and should therefore be scrapped.

    He said import duty waivers in “customs duty waiver speaks volume of profligacy in our country.” He said the NCS should be repositioned to check this fraud to enhance its revenue target and boost the economy.

    Chairman, ANLCA, Ikorodu Chapter, Chief Tomi Aloba, said since duty free imports are sold in the market at expensive prices like those with payable duty, the benefits of import duty waivers,  are lost and therefore, needless.

    “A manufacturer importing raw materials that was given duty waiver sells his products at the same price as the same commodity imported without waiver, so, what is the need? There is no need for it,”  he said. Another clearing agent and a chieftain of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Ugochukwu Nnadi, also said the import duty waiver has been abused and should be scrapped.

    However, a member of the Ports Consultative Council (PCC), Ajanowu Vincent, disagrees. He said there are certain categories of imports for which waivers should be granted to boost local industries and enhance production capacity.

     

    Effects of waivers

    Investigation revealed that in recent months, waivers granted to some individuals were used to import refined vegetable oil, soya bean meal and related products. This has put local vegetable oil producers on the verge of extinction.

    For instance, investigation has shown that most of the oil mills in Kano, including Nigeria Oil Mills, Kano Oil Mills and PS Mandrid, located in Bompai Industrial Estate, have closed down with attendant loss of over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

    Also in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Jos, where there are oil and related mills, the spokes-man of the producers, Mr Alaba Salau, said the operators were not finding it easy with many imported vegetable oil in the market.

    He said: “While few of us are just managing to survive, many others are making arrangement to close down and start importation. But that is not a good omen for the country because one of the by-products of vegetable oil mill is used for animal feed by poultry farmers.

    “The irony of granting waivers is that while the Federal Government tells Nigerians of its resolve to promote made-in-Nigeria goods, in secret, it grants waivers to political associates and cronies to import and make cheap money, thereby undermining local production,” he said.

    A Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (Human Resources), said in 2011 alone, the Federal Government lost N37.2 billion to import duty waivers granted importers of raw materials alone. This was equivalent to seven per cent of the total Customs collection for the year.

    Following public outcry against such brazen abuses of the nation’s fiscal laws, the Dr. Okonjo-Iweala announced on September 22, 2011 that the President will no longer grant such waivers and that all “those who usually go to see the President at night will no longer be allowed to do so. If they have any proposal, it must be presented to the Economic Team.”

    In Nigeria, well-connected importers secure waivers on duty, levy, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) charges, Comprehensive Import Scheme (CIS) and other charges. As a result, abuse of the waivers is routine as politicians and businessmen continue to collude to undermine the nation’s economy.

    Since 2010, the import waiver cartel have ensured the sustenance of their nefarious activities. “A company (name withheld) got the authority’s nod to import 250,000 metric tons of rice with waivers on import duty. The company got waivers on import duty, ETLS, CISS and other charges, whereas the company’s name does not exist on the database of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC),” a senior NCS offcer said.

    According to the Customs and Exercise Department, a ton of rice (20 bags) cost $550 (about N82,000), while importers are expected to pay 0.5 per cent as ETLS, one per cent as CIS, 10 per cent as duty and 20 per cent for levy. However all these were waived.

    The list of Nigerians involved in import waivers racket include clerics, business men listed in Forbes Magazine as the some of the richest in Africa and former governors.

     

    Task before the National Assembly

    Shittu said the National Assembly needs to wake up to its responsibility as a constitutional organ for checks and balances. The constitution, he said, empowers the parliament to make laws and approve all public spending. Where the government serially flouts the laws, the lawmakers are empowered to correct the situation.

    Olabintan also said the lawmakers must continue to perform their oversight functions and should not allow the executive to carry on as it pleases.

    Other operators said the lawmakers should stop the Presidency and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala  and the Customs from granting waivers except they are approved by the parliament.

    Stakeholders in the economy have urged  the National Assembly to protect the nation’s economy by scrapping indiscriminate duty waivers.

     

  • NCS: ICT skills can boost graduates’ employability

    NCS: ICT skills can boost graduates’ employability

    The Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) has said the acquisition of information communication technology (ICT) skills is important for graduates to fit into the modern age.

    It blamed lack of digital skills and digital creativity for the rising problem of graduate unemployability in the country.

    Its National President, Prof David Adewunmi, stressed the need to overhaul the academic curriculum to accommodate ICT which should be introduced to the pupils during the early stages of their development.

    He spoke at the Sixth Annual Information Technology Development Programme at the Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, organised by the Ogun State Chapter of the NCS with IT Diversity perspectives for global impact, as its theme.

    Represented by the immediate past chairman, Lagos Chapter, NCS, Dr Rogba Adeoye, Adewumi said today’s graduates have become unemployable owing to a number of factors including the fact that Nigerian youths are not enhanced with digital skills and the fact that they are not digitally creative enough to create data for upload, rather they download data a lot.

    He said: “This is an IT age and technology is catching up on all of us. Nigeria needs more data but today’s youths are more interested in uploading and downloading data rather than contribute meaningfully to data upload. Lots need to be done to bring data to our community. IT world is dynamic and we need to have an open mind for change.”

    Citizenship Manager for Microsoft Nigeria, Olusola Amusan, also said Microsoft is trying to empower individuals and organisations to increase their productivity, improve employability and connect more people, which is like fighting the menace of unemployment.

    He said: “We are building an ecosystem of employers and the academia. What we do t Microsoft is that we are connecting people. We have a programme that is like the conveyor belt: the aiki.ng, which means work. We run this project with our implementing partner, the Future Project. Over 1,000 courses are placed online to empower themselves, which prepare them for the work space.”

  • Customs moves against smugglers

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A‘ Ikeja, Lagos has intensified its anti-smuggling war against those importing prohibited goods into the country.

    Its Public Relations Officer Mr Uche Ejesieme said the campaign against smuggling in Oyo State became more necessary as December is fast approaching.

    According to him, the unit has been able to reduce the activities of smugglers in Lagos and Ogun states based on the structure put in place by its Acting Area Controller Usman Turaki.

    Officers and men of the unit, he said, seized goods worth over N100 million last month and goods worth over N130 million in September.

    He said most of the seizures were made in Lusada, Atan and Igbesa in Ogun State.

    The unit, he said, also recorded some seized goods in Oyo axis.

    The image maker, however, attributed the seizure to the proactive measures put in place by the service and Turaki.

    “If you look at the amount and quantity of the seizures, particularly in September and October, you will notice that there is a huge difference. This is so because the area controller has put in place some proactive measures to displace the smugglers and end their antics.

    “These are places that before now, no team has ever tried to extend their activities to those areas but because of the renewed vigour and determination, coupled with the courage of the new controller, we’ve been able to break all their rank and file and discovered most of the secret routes they use in perpetrating their illicit trade,” he said.

  • Trade facilitation excites importers, clearing agents

    Trade facilitation excites importers, clearing agents

    As the Yuletide approaches, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa command, has embarked on programmes to facilitate trade at the country’s biggest port, and the importers and clearing agents are happy for it, The Nation has learnt.

    Its Area Controller, Mr Charles Edike, it was gathered, had adopted the trade facilitation programme of the Federal Government by fast-tracking cargo clearance procedures and implementing  Customs policies on quick cargo clearance to the fullest to generate more revenue and boost the  economy.

    The effective manner the Comptroller-General of Customs Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi has directed his officers to implement his six-point agenda, it was learnt, was responsible for the success the service had recorded in Apapa and other notable commands in terms of the modernisation and transformation of Customs’ operations, a development, which importers and other operators said, had contributed to the quick clearance of cargoes from the Apapa port.

    The Area Controller, Apapa command, stakeholders said, had no option than to embark on trade facilitation because he had received the needed support of his Comptroller-General to organise and manage the highest revenue yielding command in the country, cum the West and Central Africa sub-region.

    His zeal and patriotism for the development of  the economy, findings revealed, was responsible for why he was moved to Apapa command to carry out the onerous task which, stakeholders said, he had  done diligently.

    The President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said Edike does not joke with trade facilitation of the Federal Government.

    “No paper stays on Edike’s table for more than 15 minutes before he releases them for quick cargo clearance.This is also because he has made the principle his watch word since his assumption of office as the Controller in Apapa Area Command and in all the commands he has been posted.

    “He believes that when any document experiences delay, the implications can be more. Thus, as far as he is concerned, prompt treatment of documents is a must in his command. According to him, the documents represent money and the government needs the money to develop the country and provide jobs for the youths,“ he said.

    Shittu also described Edike as a humble and listening Senior Customs officer who attend to every issue brought to his attention to attract business to the port.

    “With the support of Alhaji Dikko, Edike was been able to reactivate the erstwhile dormant Container Terminal in Ijora, through constant and consistent stemming of containers to the terminal, a development that has not only kept the inland terminal alive up  till today, but has also assisted in giving a lease of livelihood to importers and those of us in the cargo clearance business.

    Also, a senior officer of the command, who does not want his name in print, said the Area Controller had inculcated his trade facilitation message in his officers and tutored them on why they must delay documents to avoid sanctions.

    “Edike has tutored us that when you delay import documents, you increase the cost of clearing such goods, because you make the importers to accumulate demurrage and you delay the purpose for which such goods would have been put to used for the proper development of  the economy.

    “It is through his rare determination to block revenue loopholes and ability to combat corruption following the instruction given by the CGC that has made it possible for our command to collect an unprecedented N30,499,921,212  in September and N31,567,536,965 in October, this year. The figure is far more than the amount the command generated in the same period last year,” the officer said.

    Also, the Chairman of the Lillypond Container Terminal chapter of ANLCA, Prince Chuks Njemanze, said he was impressed with the performance of Edike on  trade facilitation and stemming of containers to Lillypond terminal.

    As part of efforts to solve the problem of server and network failure frequently encountered by importers and clearing agents at the ports, the Customs, he said, had inaugurated a newly built 160-meter communication tower for trade facilitation and launched a world-class Information Communication Training (ICT) centre at the Apapa command to boost the efficiency of its officers and men.

    Addressing reporters on behalf of other stakeholders in Lagos, the Chairman, Apapa Chapter of ANLCA, Mr Olumide Fakanlu,  said they were happy with the way the Area Controller was handling the Fast-Track Scheme (FTS) introduced by Customs to boost cargo clearance procedure at the ports.

    If not for the way the scheme was being handled, Fakanlu said, “the situation at Apapa port would have worsened because the terminal operator cannot handle more than 200 containers per day. “

    Fakanlu also berated the unnecessary additional storage charges the importers and their clearing pay terminal operators.

  • Fed Govt rakes in N973m at Seme

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme command generated N973, 540,612.78 as revenue last month.

    The amount is the highest monthly revenue so far collected by the command this year.

    The command, it was learnt, also made 24 seizures with duty paid value of N32,019,613.

    The seized items included bags of rice, frozen poultry products and other prohibited goods.

    Its Area Controller, Mr Willy Egbudin, described the revenue as a product of increased compliance by stakeholders and non-compromise by his officers.

    He said the command would ensure it collects all revenue due to the Federal Government from importers transacting business through the border.

    He pledged to make the border un-attractive for smugglers and those engaging in illegal activities.

    Egbudin said the smugglers who changed route to other areas, such as Shaki in Oyo State and Idiroko in Ogun State were not finding it easy as the Customs operatives there were tackling them, seizing their wares and crushing their unlawful investments.

    “In carrying out the directives of our Comptroller-General, Dikko Inde Abdullahi, I have constantly sensitised and reminded our officers and men on the zero tolerance for smuggling stance.On this, there is no going back. We are sending a strong warning to smugglers that daring us means a venture into big regrets.We are ready to deploy our logistics for intelligence, interdiction,arrest, seizure and diligent prosecution of suspects.

    ‘’We shall continue to apply the strategy of enlightenment and sensitisation with all our stakeholders and keep dissuading them from smuggling and other border-related unlawful activities.We appreciate those complying for their patriotism and urge those deviating to emulate the good examples for a better economy and brighter future for all Nigerians,” he said.

    The Area controller assured the  public and travellers across the border that Customs officers at strategic and approved points would assist in facilitating legitimate trade and reduce crime.