The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has explained that 22 out of the 23 duty collecting banks who applied for the operations of the new e-auction bidding and transactions process in the clearance of goods and vehicles at the ports and other customs outlets are yet to comply with requirements for approval to operate.
Consequently, the Customs service said allegations that the organization was favourably disposed to the operations of only one of the 23 banks that applied, ‘Jaiz bank’, hence the approval for the bank to operate e-auction transaction was misplaced.
Jaiz Bank is owned by Islamic Development Bank and a few other investors.
According to a statement signed by Joseph Attah, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, once the 22 other banks pass through to user acceptability test with all the banks including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which was agreed to, they will become partners in the implementation of the e-auction transaction.
The statement said, “There have been public complaints, questions and commentaries on the Nigeria Customs Service e-auction platform which was officially launched on the 3rd of July 2017 by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd).
“The Service wishes to make some clarifications especially as the inability of other commercial banks to hook up to the platform is creating inconveniences that could lead to wrong perception that pinged on the integrity of the process.
Consequently, the Nigeria Customs Service wishes to state as follows; “that all the 23 Customs duty collecting banks were carried along, properly trained in the process”.
“When the platform was developed, it was subjected to user acceptability test with all the banks including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)”
“Throughout this period, no bank indicated any problem with the platform.”
“However, upon launch of the platform https.app.trade.gov.ng/
“In the light of the above, the Service immediately wrote a letter to all the designated banks requesting them to “integrate with the e-auction application for the recharging of e-wallet” same day 3rd July 2017.
“On Wednesday 5th July 2017 another letter was sent to CBN expressing the need for the apex bank to confirm the readiness of commercial banks under its supervision to perform their roles in the process to ensure the success of the project.
“While we are being told that other banks are making frantic efforts to sort out whatever technical problem that is to hook up to the platform, this clarification is necessary to correct whatever wrong insinuation that could be generated as a result of having only one bank presently on the platform.
“Despite the initial hitches, the Service is happy to announce that the first 48 hours bidding period, Monday 12 noon to Wednesday 12 noon produced 43 winners.
“Items uploaded were 130 vehicles, 43 bided for and won.
“While 282 people registered, 268 were enabled with 245 able to generate e-wallet assessment.
“Out of 177 that recharged their e-wallets, 68 bided and 43 emerged as winners.
“The second round of bidding starts today Monday 10th July 2017 and will stop at 12 noon on Wednesday 12th July 2017.
“While looking forward to seeing more banks hook to the platform and ease the process for bidders, we wish to assure the general public of the Service determination to ensure that the transparent and accountable e-auction process succeeds.
“The Service resolve is motivated by the core benefits of generating more revenue for the Federal Government while providing equal opportunities to all Nigerians.”
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