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FG directs service providers to work with Customs

By on June 28, 2013

THE  Federal Government has directed the three Service Providers engaged to provide  scanning services  at the nation’s seaports, airports and land borders to work with officials of the Nigeria Customs (NCS) in the next six months with a view to handing  over in November.

The three Service Providers are Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, Societe General De Surveiliance (SGS) and Global Scansystems Limited.

A source close to the Ministry of Finance told Vanguard that government is determined to ensure that the Service Providers hand over at the end of the second extension of the contract.

An official of one of the Service Providers at the ports who confirmed this to Vanguard said that they are already working with Customs officers at their locations in line with the directive.

Public Relations Officer of the Apapa Area1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Emma Ekpa, told Vanguard that though they have not gotten any directive to that effect yet, but they have been working closely with the service provider.

He noted that they have been taking responsibility for every task that falls within their area of jurisdiction while the service providers do the same.

Recall that the Federal Government recently re-jigged the scanning slots of the three Service Providers after the extension of the destination Inspection contract.

In the new disposition, , Globalscan System Limited, the only indigenous operator amongst the three appointed by government is now to handle Apapa port where Nigeria’s  largest volume of imported cargoes  come trough into the country.

According to a circular from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) signed by Batere Musa, Director in charge of Trade and Exchange Department, disclosed that Globalscan apart from handling the scanning functions at nation’s premier port, will also be responsible for the same service  at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Seme land border, Ikorodu Land border and Warri port.

Cotecna Destination Inspection Nigeria Ltd, which before handles Apapa port has swoop places with Globalscan and will now add Port and Terminal Multi-purpose Ltd (PTML) hitherto handled by Globalscan to its area of coverage.

Cotecna is expected to hold on to its previous allotment of Abuja International Airport, Kano International Airport, Lagos Free Trade Zone, Jibiya border post and Banki border post.

Similarly, SGS Inspection will still hold on to its previously held allotments of Port Haercourt port, Onne port, Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt Free Trade Zone, Onne Free Trade Zone, Ilorin International Airport.

 

 

 

[Vanguard]