Customs leads Senate on warehouses’ inspection

The Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) said it recently led the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on warehouses inspection within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) just as it assured of more cooperation for a nationwide inspection.

The Service Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, at the weekend said the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ali, (Rtd) believes in transparency and honesty in government dealings, and will support the work of the senators in the interest of the nation.

Attah said the Senate paid a courtesy call on Col. Ali last Monday and were taken to inspect the Customs warehouses in Karu and FCT Command and were granted explanations.

He dismissed earlier reports that the CGC walked out on the Committee during the courtesy visit saying, “When the CGC and the Ad’hoc Committee left the conference room, the CGC came straight to his office and did not leave the office premises until close of work,” Attah said.

”We have nothing to hide, our books are open, all Area Controllers have been directed to open the warehouses and provide answers to your questions. At the end of the day, we are all doing this in the interest of the nation,” Ali had told the Committee earlier.

On issue of foods and perishable items at the Customs warehouses, Attah said the Service was operating on a presidential directive that all these items should be given to the victims of insurgency in the Northeast.

”We have so far distributed 252,466 bags of rice and over 80,000 Jerry can of vegetables oil, soap, ladies wears and shoes among others,” he noted.

Giving an update on the vehicles auction process, Attah said the Service was now using e-auction process, adding that close to 700 Nigerians have benefited from the e-auction process adding that 95 per cent of them were ordinary Nigerians.