By GODWIN ORITSE

LAGOS – THE Tin-Can Island Port Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS,  has defended the new Automated System for Customs Data, ASYCUDA, as capable of checkmating duty fraud.

ASYCUDA is a computer data collating soft ware designed by NCS to enhance its revenue collection and operations and forestall fraud.

In a statement reacting to media report on the disappearance of containers  from  the Tin-Can Command, Mr. Chris Osunkwo, spokesman for the command, said the Customs Area Comptroller was quoted out of context.

Osunkwo explained that at a meeting with the leadership of freight forwarding groups, the command’s boss drew inference from efforts being made to stem and fight all identifiable vices in the industry including “flying of containers.”

He said ASYCUDA had made Customs operation transparent that any other agency connected to the system can monitor the movement of containers out of ports.

Meantime, the authorities of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has set in motion plans for applicants to re-write the inconclusive recruitment examination into the organisation.

The  failed exam, written nationwide, three weeks ago, by thousands of  Nigerians, was characterised by fraud and lack of coordination.