Customs Suspends $3.2bn Modernization Project Over Litigation
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has suspended the $3.2 billion Cudtoms Modernization Project (e-Customs) earlier approved by the administratiin of ex-President Muhammed Buhari, Over lingering litigations.
Acting Customs Comptroller General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyu, MFR, announced this on Wednesday while fielding questions with reporters at the Federal Operations Units (FOU), Ikeja, Lagos adding that the service will be partnering with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to deploy Geospatial Intelligence at the nation’s borders.
The acting Comptroller General noted that due to the lingering court cases of the $3.2bn e-Customs Project, he has not been talking much about it since he took over the reins of leadership of the service.
According to him, "Currently, we are at a stage where the matter is in court, and that’s why I have not been talking so much about the $3.2 billion Customs Modernisation project. However, beyond the modernisation project, there are a number of things that we can do on our own. We have been getting very firm assurance from the WCO and other partners to assist us.
"What we are developing through Geospatial Intelligence is with the assistance of the WCO.”
“We are also building the capacity of our officers locally and domestically, exposing them to the kind of training that will allow them to learn best practices on how we can integrate elements of technology into our operations,” he stated.
The acting Comptroller General who was at Ikeja Command to announce and inspect the interception of 299 cartons of codeine syrup worth N100 million and interception of 7 trucks laden with foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country from Benin Republic, also hints that due to inadequate space at the Command's warehouse, the entire operations of the Command will be moved to a new site in 30 months time.
"We have acquired a place to transfer all siezed vehicles. Its going to be a one of location, there is no more space here again and when we leave Ikeja Zone, we are going to make a better usage of this warehouse to avoid creating nuisance that all these lorries have caused. The new site project have started and in 30 months time, we will move the entire operations from here to new locations. I will use this opportunity to encourage the officers to continue their diligent discharge of duty because management is taking judicial notice of their diligence. Their sacrifice wiill not go unnotice," he stated.
However, on the seuzures made by the Command, the acting Comptroller General stressed that the Service will continue to be dedicated to combating smuggling of illicit, regulated drugs and contrabands from neighboring West African countries.
He said, "As part of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our society and protecting the well-being of our citizens, the NCS has once again demonstrated its dedication to eradicating the menace of drug trafficking. Last week officers of the Federal Operating Unit Zone A, acting on credible intelligence, flagged down a DAF truck close to Ijebu-Ode Junction. An examination of the truck revealed the concealment of 299 cartons of codeine syrup along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.
"NCS is yet again drawing national attention to the danger posed by unrestricted access to the use of dangerous drugs. Codeine syrup is designated as a controlled item due to its rampant abuse by our delinquent youth. The misuse and illicit distribution of codeine-containing medications have given rise to grave security and public health concerns, contributing to a surge in addiction, adverse health effects, and societal challenges.”
“In response, regulatory measures have been implemented to curb its availability and unrestricted access. This underscores the importance of addressing this issue as part of broader efforts to safeguard public health and well-being.”
“On our part we will continue to partner with the NDLEA and other relevant government agencies to curb the spread of the menace and protect the future generations of Nigerians.”
Speaking further, “smugglers of rice and premium motor spirit continue to test our will to put them out of business. Smuggling of rice compromises our revenue and sabotages our food security. Despite the biting effects of fuel subsidy removal on our economy, smugglers still attempt to smuggle PMS across the border.
“They met their waterloo in different operations conducted by NCS officers of NCS. The following seizures of both items were recorded, a total of 4, 252 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice at Dangote/Imashayi Ogun State, Saki Axis Oyo State, Owode/Ado Odo in Ogun state, Idiroko/Ohumbe Ogun State, Okoko Mile 2 Axis, Lagos State and Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
"Similarly, 5,600 litres of premium motor spirit were intercepted and seized when smugglers attempted to take out these strategic resources through the Oja-odan axis in Ogun State. Other items seized in the last 2 weeks include, 291 Bales of Second-hand Clothing; 57 Sacks and 4 Jumbo Sacks of Used Shoes; 486 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products; 190 Pieces of Rugs; 5 Units of Vehicles and 170 pieces of used tyres.
"These seizures are a fallout of our uncompromising position to strictly enforce the law and protect the lives of our people. The codeine syrup, which is reportedly being abused by mostly young persons in society, is associated with addiction and, in the long-term, results in anxiety, depression, memory loss, and damage to the liver, kidneys and brain. It is pertinent to note that the damaging effects of drugs have led to preventable deaths for consumers taking them outside doctors’ prescriptions.”
In view of the seizures made so far by all commands and to enhance more successful operations across borders, the acting Comptroller General maintained that the Service will integrate Corporate Social Responsibilty(CSR) Plan and positively relate with members of the communities where the Service Operates.
“We are also building the capacity of our officers locally and training institutions within and exposing them to those kind of training programmes to integrate the elements of technology into our operations,” the CGC explained.
