NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE BOSS

Customs says checks do not impede fuel supply.

The Nigeria Customs Service has never obstructed the discharge of petroleum products to various parts of the country.
Public Relations Officer of the service, Wale Adeniyi, made the clarification while reacting to an allegation by NNPC that the activities of the service had impeded the supply of petroleum products.
Adeniyi said although Customs arrested offending vessels, it had not impeded the discharge of petroleum products.
It is true that customs made arrest of vessels for irregularities in importation under the Nigeria law because contents of vessels coming into Nigeria are imported for home use.
And if they come under temporary importation, that is, it will come with all the necessary temporary permits that will allow it to operate on Nigeria waters, possibly for a specific project.
But if the arrested vessels are found wanting in fulfilling the required laws, they neither have import papers nor temporary permit, it means the vessels were operating in Nigeria's coaster waters illegally.’’
He said all vessels coming into the country were expected to abide by the laws in that regard, adding that the NCS detained the offending vessels and not disrupting fuel supply.
The NNPC had on Tuesday alleged that the activities of the Customs and the Nigerian Navy at the ports were responsible for the recent shortfall in fuel supply in the country.
NNPC Group General Manager (Public Affairs),Levi Ajuonuma had also said in Abuja that some products-laden vessels had been detained at the Apapa Port for three weeks by the Customs and the Navy.
The most worrisome aspect of this development is that they are detained at the berthing point such that other vessels with petroleum products are deprived from berthing and discharging.’’
He, however, explained that one of the ships detained by the Customs was alleged to have contravened the rule three years ago when it brought petroleum products into the country without temporary import permit.
Ajuonuma said though the corporation was not against the Customs and the Navy’s checks, the activities should not impede the discharge of the products.
Customs says its controller’s death under investigation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says the death of Alhaji Adamu Ahmad, a Controller in charge of Borno and Yobe Command, is being investigated by the Nigeria Police.
Public Relations Officer of the service, Wale Adeniyi, described the late Ahmad as a diligent and disciplined officer who was the former Commandant of NCS Training College, Lagos.
Ahmad was killed by unknown gunmen at about 7.45 p.m. on Tuesday.