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Customs take over destination inspection from Cotecna, others

By on December 5, 2013

The Federal Government has approved the transition of destination inspection service from scanning service providers to the Nigeria Customs Service.

The move, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, followed the expiration of the Destination Inspection Contract Agreements between the Federal Government and the SSPs.

The statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, stated that the transition was directed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Accordingly, it added that with effect from December 1, 2013, the NCS had taken over full processing of all import transactions to Nigeria in line with the amended Import Guidelines of the Destination Inspection Scheme.

It said, “All Scanning Service Providers (Cotecna, SGS and Global Scan) shall cease to approve new Form M, issue Risk Assessment Report or perform scanning operations for goods imported into Nigeria.

“The SSPs shall handover all valid Form Ms and existing Valuation Database to the Nigeria Customs Service.”

The statement, however, noted that the contract for provision of Information Communication Technology infrastructural back-up for the scheme currently being executed by Webb Fontaine had been extended by 18 months.

This, it added, was to ensure a smooth takeover by the NCS.

It said, “As we enter this era, the Federal Ministry of Finance urges stakeholders and all Nigerians to give the Comptroller-General of Customs and his team all the support necessary to manage a smooth and successful takeover.

“While no effort was spared in the build-up to this process, we should all bear it in mind that the transition of this magnitude may throw up some implementation challenges.

“It will require the understanding of all stakeholders to manage whatever initial challenges that may arise before the process fully stabilises.”

As part of the takeover plans, the statement said help desks and dedicated hotlines had been provided to enable stakeholders and the general public to channel complaints, observations and suggestions on the process to the Nigeria Customs Service.

 

 

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