By Ifeyinwa Obi

LAGOS—THE Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),Tin-Can Island Port Command, Mr Chris Osunkwo, has said that vehicle imports had been down in the port.

Osunkwo stated this in Lagos,explained the low import was due to the decline in subsistence imports by small occasional importers of cars who seized opportunity in sending cars to their relations for sale in exchange for cash.

He said that nowadays such people had resorted to using the “Western Union Money Transfer”, adding that this had affected importation of used cars.

Osunkwo, however, said the low vehicle imports had not affected the revenue of the command, adding that there were many sources of revenue for government, like the general cargo.

According to him, officers that are technically sound are managing strategic positions and they collect maximum revenue for government.

The spokesman said that to check corruption in the system, some disciplinary matters were usually referred to the headquarters of the service in Abuja.

According to him, the command has keyed into the management’s zero tolerance for corruption.

“If you are caught, you face the music. Nobody is spared no matter whose ox is gored.

“As it comes up, it is handled. Officers are aware of the penalty awaiting defaulters, so they are careful and cautious in doing their jobs,

“The gospel of compliance is being preached,” he added.

He said, “The blue print for clearance of cargo has taken care of any intention to be fraudulent because the system will immediately fish out any tendency to be corrupt.”

“Let things be done procedurally. Let everybody follow the procedures,” the Public
Relations Officer said.