Customs plans to combat cargo examination extortion

The Nigeria Customs Service in Apapa, Lagos has said that all government agencies involved in the examination of cargo at the Apapa Port must endorse the examination forms at the base.

Mr. Willy Egbudin, the Customs Area Controller of the command stated this at an interactive session with stakeholders.

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He said, “Henceforth, all government agencies involved in the examination process must endorse the examination form at the base as witnesses to it.

“Any officer who deliberately creates avenue to extort agents should be brought to my notice for appropriate sanction.”

This is coming after recent complaints by stakeholders comprising of licensed customs agents, importers and representatives of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council concerning the endorsement of examination forms by customs officers not privy to the examination in their offices has allegedly led to extortion.

This also follows stakeholders’ accusation of the Nigeria Customs Service of not doing its job as port system regulator, especially with regard to the attitudes of shipping companies and terminal operators.