NCS release new guidelines on seized goods disposal

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer

Ad

Trump, Starmer clash over Palestinian state recognition at State Visit to UK

By Obinna Uballa United States President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly clashed on Thursday over Britain’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state, exposing one of the few points of division during Trump’s high-profile state visit to the United Kingdom. Speaking at a joint press conference in London after bilateral talks, Trump…

Super Eagles Drop to 45th in FIFA Rankings

By Abiola Olawale Nigeria's men's national team, Super Eagles have tumbled to their lowest FIFA world ranking in over six years, slipping to 45th place in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking released on Thursday. This drop represents a downward trajectory for the three-time African champions, who are now in sixth position on the African…

Rivers State Assembly tells Fubara to Submit Commissioner Nominees

To look into finances of Rivers under Ibas By Abiola Olawale The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally requested Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to submit the list of commissioner-nominees for legislative screening and confirmation. This call comes during the assembly's first plenary session since the recent lifting of the state of emergency.…

Ad

Worried by the spate of fake online auctions, The Nigeria Customs Service has approved a new procedure for the disposal of seized and overtime goods in its bid to address some of the perceived irregularities relating to the system.

The NCS has set up four committees to handle the disposal of these categories of goods. The committees are those on assessment, disposal, seizure and overtime.

According to the new guidelines signed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hammed Ali, perishable items with or without defendants are to be properly disposed of by the relevant committee.

For general goods, the guidelines state that these are to be disposed of after condemnation by a competent court of law, adding, “Condemnation shall be done after 30 days of seizure, so far as there is no notice of claim or litigation.”

The guidelines also stipulate that all overtime cargos are to be published in the Federal Government’s gazette when they fall due after 30 days.

Under the new dispensation, the NCS will advertise information on seized and overtime goods for disposal with their reserve prices in the media and on its official website.

The NCS boss enjoined interested buyers to apply online, specifying items of interest to the committee on disposal, adding that applications must be accompanied with approved means of identification such as a national identity card, passport or driving licence, in addition to a recent passport photograph scanned onto the dedicated portal on the website.

The guidelines further explained that successful applicants would be required to make payment within 14 days of notification through designated banks at the area commands where the goods were domiciled.

 

According to the guidelines, any returns on disposals will need to be rendered to the comptroller-general not later than 21 days after completion of each exercise.

The NCS, however, pointed out that the disposal committee, subject to the approval of the comptroller-general, might use its discretion in handling peculiar cases.

The assessment committee shall consist of not less than five officers of high integrity, including valuation officers at all area commands supervised by the zonal coordinator, who shall undertake inspection, collation and fixing of prices of all goods on monthly basis, and is to forward its report to the auction committee.

The NCS has also announced plans to designate the Ikorodu Cargo Terminal as a dedicated export gateway.

Currently, the terminal serves as a storage facility for loaded imported containers, also known as overtime containers that have stayed beyond the 28 days allowed by the NCS at the ports.

The National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the decision was part of measures to boost Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp