As the January 2013 deadline for the takeover of the Destination Inspection (DI) scheme by the Nigeria Customs Service from the service providers – SGS, Cotecna and Global Scansystems draws close, there is a strong apprehension over the ability of the Customs to handle the scheme effectively.
Industry operators are not yet convinced that the Service is well-equipped to take over the functions of the service providers despite the series of trainings known to have been given to officers and men of the Service by the providers.
As the January 2013 deadline for the takeover of the Destination Inspection (DI) scheme by the Nigeria Customs Service from the service providers – SGS, Cotecna and Global Scansystems draws close, there is a strong apprehension over the ability of the Customs to handle the scheme effectively.
Industry operators are not yet convinced that the Service is well-equipped to take over the functions of the service providers despite the series of trainings known to have been given to officers and men of the Service by the providers.
In preparation for the takeover, the Service had set up a management team to work out the exit plans for the service providers, develop structures and implementation procedures in a bid to ensure smooth transfer of the functions of the service providers to the Service.
Skeptical industry operators believe there is a need for an extension of the contract, saying that the providers have not effectively done with the training of the Customs as stipulated in the DI agreement.
Worried by the strong desire of the Customs Service to take complete charge and what will happen to them thereafter, service providers have been allegedly lobbying powerful government officials for a possible extension of the contract.
The present scenario, therefore, creates an atmosphere of uncertainty in the industry.
Towards charting a way for operators and possibly save the nation from the imminent collapse of the scheme, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) is organising a one-day workshop, titled: Destination Inspection: Which way after December 2012, to address all the issues the handover has generated so far.
The seminar will take place on Thursday, 15 November, 2012 at its International Maritime Press Centre, Atlantic House, Apapa, Lagos.
The workshop will give all the relevant stakeholders particularly the Customs opportunity to showcase its preparations and the service providers the opportunity to present their scorecard and possibly advise government on further steps on the scheme.
Expected to deliver the keynote address is the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar and Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko are expected to grace the occasion.
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