A complaint was made on Nigeria Custom Service for fraudulent release of 5000 container without duty payment. Below is the response to the allegation:
The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service has been drawn to reports in the section of the media to the effect that some containers are being fraudulently released due to illegal practices at the Direct Trade Inputs (DTI) cafés.
Let it be known that the establishment of DTI Cafés was one of the innovations of the present management of the Service to block revenue leakages. DTI are owned and operated by non-customs officers under the supervision of the Service. Its operations allow Importers or Agents to make declaration and payments online, thereby reducing human contacts and occasion of corrupt tendencies. The permit is granted only to Stakeholders who have established integrity in the clearance process over the years.
This high level of confidence on the Operators means that they should have the capacity to check and ensure that only the proper thing is done, as any irregularity will be traced to them.
While the imaginary number of containers being speculated released without payment of duty shows ignorance of the clearance process, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi OFR has directed a thorough investigation of all the DTI cafés to ensure that only those who operate strictly according to guidelines are allowed to continue.
It is this resolve that has brought the Service collection of revenue to a record high of over N60 billion monthly.
For the avoidance of doubt, the CGC is determined to deal decisively with any person or organization that is found obstructing this quick, smooth and transparent process.
THE PR UNIT
NCS HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA