In keeping with existing synergy between Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and other agencies of the government, the Tincan Island Port Command has handed over 2 x 40ft containers falsely declared as vehicles, but were discovered to be cartons of makeup items and Computer Accessories respectively to officials of the National Agency for Foods, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
A statement by the Command’s image maker, Mr. Uche Ejesieme said “This discovery was sequel to the latest operational methodology adopted by the Command through profiling, cargo selectivity and system checks of the advance electronic manifest”.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bashar Yusuf, averred that the Command is adopting these procedures to ensure that all Imports are electronically monitored with a view to identifying non-compliant declarations and other infractions which could jeopardize the change ideology of the Service.
He said that the containers were flagged following some discrepancies in the documentation and declaration made in the Single Goods Declaration (SGD) form C 2010, hence the need for further checks.
According to him, “The declarations made on SGD C-No. 13473 of 09-02-2017 and SGD C- N0. 84118 of 24-08-2017 were at variance with the contents in the system bill lading, which fuelled the suspicion”.
He gave the Importers names as J. S. Akuasosi Nig. Enterprises Ltd. of No. 31 Balogun Street Amuwo Odofin, Lagos and Del-Dominion Gold Ventures of No. 5 Borno Crescent Apapa – Lagos and S. Chinax Services Nig. Ltd. of No. 5 Industrial Road Port-Harcourt and Robby Concept Int’l Agency Ltd. of Mini Flat 4 Nnewi building Apapa-Lagos, as declarants.
Yusuf further noted that the declarations made on the containers are contrary what was found in the cargoes as many of the contents were banned drugs and medicals instead of declared three (3) units of used vehicles, cartons of makeup kits, 850 cartons of computer accessories (keyboard and Mouse).
According to him, “This infraction which is tantamount to untrue declaration falls under section 161 of The Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004 as amended”.
While handing over the two (2) containers to NAFDAC officials, Bashar yusuf reiterated his resolve to make the Command a model Port where compliant traders will enjoy all the tools for trade facilitation created by the Nigeria Customs Service in line with Global Best Practices.
The impounded products were handed over to the Chief Regulatory Officer NAFDAC Port Health Tincan Island Port, Lagos.
