The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is ready to take over destination inspection scheme in July.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Chris Osunkwo, said in Lagos recently that the command was prepared to take over the scheme.
“Our officers are ready because they have been trained and retrained by the service providers.
The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is ready to take over destination inspection scheme in July.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Chris Osunkwo, said in Lagos recently that the command was prepared to take over the scheme.
“Our officers are ready because they have been trained and retrained by the service providers.
“As at today, we have another training on the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report which is to replace the Risk Assessment Report under the destination inspection project’’ he said.
Osunkwo said the command had entered into an agreement with terminal operators to provide trucks to convey containers for inspection.
He said that the arrangement would ease congestion at the port.
“Most agents usually bring trucks that break down, causing congestion and delay.
“Once an agent pays the terminal operator and indicate that his container has been selected for inspection, the terminal operator will provide the truck and convey it to where it will be scanned,” he said.
He said that no agent would be allowed to dictate to the Customs on how his container should be examined.
“An agent cannot say that he prefers physical examination.
“It is the ASYCUDA system that determines the channel where the container is taken through for examination.
“A scanner can scan about 150 containers in eight working hours. Can anybody examine 150 containers in eight hours?
The Federal Government, had in Dec. 30, 2012, extended by six months, the seven-year contract it signed with Cotecna, SGS and Global Scansystems Ltd.
The service providers were contracted in 2006 to carry out inspection of imported items to determine duty payable and to prevent unwholesome and prohibited goods from coming into the country.
The contract ought to have been terminated by the end of Dec. 31, 2012 and the Nigeria Customs Service was expected to have taken over the service.
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