By Godfrey Bivbere

The extension of the contract of the three Service Providers, Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited (CDIL), SGS and Global Scansystems, has been attributed to the unpreparedness of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to fully take over the functions performed by the Service Providers.

Some stakeholders’ weeks before the expiration of the contract have warned that the country might be in for a difficult maritime transaction as NCS is not prepared to take over the Service Providers function.

Just 10 days to the expiration of the old scheme and on a day of Vanguard’s special report on the issue, the NCS hurriedly responded by sending a back dated letter to stakeholders informing them of the new scheme known as Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR).

Minister of Trade & Investment, Olusegun Aganga

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) as a result of the letter to it by Customs wrote to inform its members of a planned training programme for them December 27, 2012, just four days before the NCS is expected to take over the function.

Similarly, the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) also got a couriered letter on the 20th of December but was dated on 18th.

The letter states in part, “The PAAR application system is a dynamic , real time and consistent Risk Management platform utilized by NCS and partner regulatory agencies including Commercial Banks for classification, Valuation, Price Verification and added value services in a modernized Risk Management environment.”

It also stated that the new integrated and shared Risk Platform will overcome the inefficiencies of the previous Destination Inspection (D/I ) system.

When contacted on the new scheme, National Secretary of NCMDLCA, Mr. Uchu Block, said he was first contacted by one of his client on Thursday and his first reaction was “which one is PAAR again.”

Block said it is good the NCS is coming out with this even though it is late in the day, but stressed that there is need for the federal government through the Ministry of Finance or the Presidency to come out clearly to state the directtion which government will be taking on the issue.

Another operator who spoke with our Correspondent on condition of anonymity doubts the success of the new scheme as it seems to have been done in a hurry.

The operator said manpower wise, the NCS claimed to have embarked on massive training of its personnel but doubt if they are ready to take charge. The operator wondered why they engaged the services of three contractors to help them on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has kicked against the extension of the contract.

When Vanguard contacted the National President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, on the issue, he said it is unfortunate that government will tow this path”. He said the extension was a clear indication of government’s unseriousness about capacity development.