By Aminu Imam
The Federal Government has extended the contract of Cotecna, SGS and Globalscan as Destination inspection Agents (DIAs) as service providers for the inspection of imports at the nation's seaports, airports and land borders for a period of six months with effect from June1, 2013 to November 30, 2013.
Following the extension, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday notified all Authorised Dealer Banks that the three DIAs have been appointed by the Government as Inspection Agents to carry out the assignment during the period.
The CBN, in a circular TED/FEM/FPC/011006 dated June 17,2013, stated that the entry points for imports to Nigeria have been grouped into three Lots, and allocated Apapa Sea Port, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Seme and ldiroko Land Borders and Warri Sea Port to Global Scan Systems Limited.
Cotecna was allocated Tin Can Island Sea Port, Grimaldi Port (PTML), Abuja and Kano International Airports, Lagos Free Trade zone, Jibiya and Banki Border Posts, while SGS, was allotted Port Harcourt Main Sea Port, Onne Sea Port, Port Harcourt International Airport,Onne & P/Harcourt Free Trade Zones, Calabar Sea Port and Ilorin Int'l Airport.
The apex bank stated that the DIAs are expected to assume duty at their new allocated Lots with effect from Friday, June 14, 2013.
The trio were first awarded the contract in 2006, but when the contract lapsed on December 31, last year, the Finance Ministry recommended an extension by six months, and it was approved by President Goodluck Jonathan on the excuse that the Nigeria Customs Service was not ready to take over the responsibility of destination inspection.
Many stakeholders, government officials, including ministers, have allegedly disagreed with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala over the renewal of the contract.
The Customs was expected to be in charge of DI from last January. It was also learnt that the Customs is also unhappy that all its investment on multi-billion Naira DI equipment and training of 300 Customs would be a waste.
Also, it was learnt that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is unhappy over the plan because it will leave more than 300 Customs officers already trained abroad idle.
The renewal is said to be against a March 1, 2013 assessment of the World Bank, which has confirmed the Customs' readiness to manage the DI.
The post Destination Inspection Scheme: FG renews extension of contract for service providers (http://peoplesdailyng.com/destination-inspection-scheme-fg-renews-extension-of-contract-for-service-providers/) appeared first on Peoples Daily Newspaper, Nigeria (http://peoplesdailyng.com).
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The federal government has done the right thing with this one. It was highly expected so no surprises at all.