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Tag: Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)

  • Customs Debunks Allegation of Wrongdoing in E-auction of Overtime, Seized Goods

    Customs Debunks Allegation of Wrongdoing in E-auction of Overtime, Seized Goods

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has rebutted the claims making the rounds about its involvement in an e-auction of overtime and seized goods.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued by Customs Spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada on Saturday.

    “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is in receipt of a report titled “The Monumental Stealing By The Customs Auction Committee And Their Plans To Dispose-Off Overtime Containers” with great concern. It is disheartening to note the serious allegations regarding the integrity of the ongoing e-auction process designed to provide a level playing ground for all Nigerians.

    “The NCS is a law-abiding government organization dedicated to maintaining the most outstanding levels of accountability and transparency in all its activities and taking any accusations of improper behaviour seriously,” the statement read in part.

    Similarly, NCS denied involvement in fraudulent activities or underhand dealings as regards the e-auctioning of vehicles or other goods.

    “The NCS Auction Committee operates within the confines of the law and adheres strictly to established guidelines and procedures for disposing of seized/overtime goods.”

    Nigeria Customs added: “Regarding the allegation that over 300 vehicles have been auctioned to just one individual via the e-auction window after purported underhand payments, we wish to state that this is entirely false, misguided, and spurious. Furthermore, suggesting that a token sum of N10,000 is collected as duties to the Federal Government on the e-auction window, which has a reserved price of N400, 000 is indeed misleading and misrepresentation of fact.”

    It further disclosed that from the data generated upon completing five successful bidding windows, 13,605 applicants registered in the five windows e-auction portal; 476 vehicles were uploaded, and 462 won.

    “Also, the government realized N556,738,736 as revenue. It begs the question of where the allegations are coming from.”

    The Service reiterated its commitment to remain transparent, accountable and always adhere to the rule of law in all activities.

    It also urged members of the public to join the Service with the common goal of promoting an inclusive system that is fair to all Nigerians irrespective of their status.

  • COWA President Kikelomo Unveils Vision to Empower 100,000 Women, Combat Drug Abuse

    COWA President Kikelomo Unveils Vision to Empower 100,000 Women, Combat Drug Abuse

    President of Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi has unveiled an initiative that will help to empower 100,000 women in the fight against drug abuse.

    Mrs. Adeniyi made this known while giving a speech at the relaunch of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association in Abuja on Thursday.

    The event witnessed the presence of members, stakeholders, government officials, business moguls, and diplomats – and was centred around the importance of the association.

    According to the wife of the Comptroller-General of Customs, it is an avenue to support the Federal Government in empowering women, mitigate drug abuse and job creation.

    She also asked for the support of the country’s First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Bola Tinubu so as to improve the general well-being of women in Nigeria.

    Mrs. Adeniyi stated that the association has launched a pilot program to empower 1,200 women, adding that the plan is to assist over 100,000 women, thereby making them to be impactful in their various families.

    She revealed COWA’s readiness to kick-start a fully-equipped ultra-modern Skills Acquisition Center in Abuja, where members will undertake vocational training for empowerment.

    The President of COWA added: “The association aims to provide food and other humanitarian support to about 100,000 less privileged individuals across the country before the end of 2024.”

    Mrs. Adeniyi stressed that the relaunch of the association offers an opportunity to bring their activities to the forefront and will help in raising funds from corporate organizations and spirited Nigerians for the implementation of their programs and activities.

    She continued: “COWA plans to establish Nursery, Primary, and Secondary Schools across major border communities and even within cities and towns to offer decent, qualitative, and affordable education to the children and wards of serving and retired Customs Officers.

    “The schools will reduce the financial burden of Customs officers who pay exorbitant fees to educate their children. It will also enable us to instill in our children high moral values associated with the Nigeria Customs Service.

    “COWA has been established with a clear aim to touch lives in a meaningful and impactful manner, and our primary drive is to build relationships, partnerships, and friendships that support the nurturing of healthy communities to alleviate poverty, create jobs, and support the economic empowerment of our members through initiatives that promote prosperity and economic opportunities.”

    She lauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for their support and commitment to improving the welfare of Customs officers.

    Mrs. Adeniyi also disclosed that plans are being made to provide suitable accommodations to officers and their families.

    Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who was also present at the gathering expressed delight towards the advancement made by the association.

    Comptroller Adeniyi heaped praises on her wife and the rest of the team for their tremendous works that have resulted in COWA’s rise.

    He revealed that NCS has placed women in strategic and vital positions across various units and commands, stressing that it is a significant achievement in attaining gender balance.

    CG Adeniyi further stated: “We appreciate our wives whose support encourages us to maintain our stance in fighting against smuggling and sources of strength, especially during challenging times. We are fully committed to supporting them in their work whenever and wherever necessary.

    “The service is supporting COWA in building schools, supporting widows, and conducting medical outreach programs in our border communities. This initiative significantly enhances our corporate social responsibility program and demonstrates our holistic approach to community engagement.”

    “Given the substantial impact of COWA’s work, we wholeheartedly support the revival and relaunch of their activities. Confidently, we will continue to contribute positively to our organization and the community.”

  • Western Marine Commandseize 4000 parcels of Indian hemp

    Western Marine Commandseize 4000 parcels of Indian hemp

    Western Marine Customs Intercepts Over 4000 Parcels Of Indian Hemp Some sacks of cannabis sativa seized by Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted 51 sacks containing 4,070 parcels of Cannabis Sativa in January 2024.

    The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Odaudu Salefu, revealed this in a press statement disseminated on Tuesday, stressing that the Command would intensify efforts to purge the Western waterways of the offensive activities of smuggling.

    Joint Patrol Team of the Command received credible intelligence of the movement of a wooden Boat around the Moba Seashore axis of the Command suspected of transporting offending goods.

    After a hot pursuit of the identified Boat by our officers, the smugglers dived into the Creek, abandoning the Boat fully loaded with the goods

    According to a statement released by the image maker of the command, SC Magaji Mailafiya, stated that the wooden Boat powered by Two (2) 40 horsepower (HP) engines was towed back to the Command HQ at Ibafon Apapa. After careful examination, it was found to contain 4,070 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1785kg.” Recall that in 2023, Western Marine Command made five significant seizures of Cannabis Sativa, totaling 14,920 parcels of the dangerous drugs; the 5 seizures were part of the 48 incidents of seizures recorded by the Command in 2023 resulting in a total Duty Paid Value of N1,470,397,255.00 for the year 2023. Comptroller Salefu, however, promised to give officers of the Command the needed impetus and motivation to perform their anti-smuggling responsibilities in 2024.

    Western Marine Command is poised more than ever to improve its performance in 2024 for a better and prosperous year, even as it warns Nigerians to desist from smuggling

  • Rules of Origin: Customs Partners WCO, GIZ Others to Equip Officers

    Rules of Origin: Customs Partners WCO, GIZ Others to Equip Officers

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has partnered with World Customs Organization (WCO) and other agencies to train officers on Rules of Origin.

    NCS earmarked the practice in order to achieve border security and trade facilitation by involving its personnel in various empowerment activities.

    This was made known by the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi on Monday, January 22, 2024, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada.

    The announcement kick-started the inauguration of a 5-day workshop on ‘Rules of Origin,’ which was jointly facilitated by the Alliance for Trade Facilitation, GIZ, and the WCO.

    CGC Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, DCG Abdullahi Musa, received WCO experts in Nigeria to improve officers’ expertise in trade facilitation, thereby authorizing their participation in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.

    Speaking on behalf of the Customs boss, DCG Musa emphasized the CGC’s commitment to work with development partners for capacity building – and stressed the importance of the workshop in strengthening the Nigeria Customs Service.

    His words: “So far, the Nigeria Customs Service has been designated the competent authority for issuing Certificates of Origin. Over the next five days, 25 officers will undergo intensive training on the Rules of Origin.

    “I declare this workshop open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service.”

    Meanwhile, the lead origin expert for the WCO, Mette Azzam, disclosed that the training workshop is an avenue for quality collaboration between customs administration, WCO, and GIZ.

    Azzam pointed out the increasing importance of knowledge on Rules of Origin worldwide, especially the proliferation of Free Trade Agreements.

    She also explained that determining the value of goods wrongly could lead to duty payments, and further stated the impact of Rules of Origin on revenue.

    Rules of Origin: Customs Partners WCO, GIZ Others to Equip Officers

    The WCO expert elucidated the need to correctly determine the preferential value of goods to avoid incorrect duty payments.

    Similarly, the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Strategy, Research, and Policy, ACG Ibrahim Alfa, encouraged the participants to make valuable use of the training and stressed its importance in enhancing the Service’s efficiency in revenue generation.

    ACG Alfa also mentioned the importance of correctly determining the preferential value of goods to avoid erroneous duty payments.

    He reiterated the workshop’s focus on promoting the Service’s efficiency in revenue generation – and urged participants to utilize the knowledge presented, so as to be abreast of the evolving landscape of international trade agreements.

    According to Customs, the 5-day workshop is scheduled to empower 25 officers through intensive training, discussions, and assessments on the Rules of Origin.