Nigerian Maritime journalists have honored Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited (CDIL), as the leading service provider during the seven years that the nation operated the Destination Inspection scheme before the Nigeria Customs Service recently took over its complete implementation.
The award of excellence was conferred on CDIL by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), during its 25th year’s anniversary celebration which climaxed last Thursday at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.
The event which witnessed the presence of leading maritime industry players in the country as well as top managers of government agencies and parastatals was themed, “MARAN @ 25: Vehicle for Sustainable Economic Transformation”.
Cotecna Destination Inspection limited was recognized as the leading destination inspection company with distinct record in the areas of scanner provision, training of customs officials and other port users as well as in the areas of infrastructure development.
Speaking on the sidelines shortly after presenting the award to the Deputy Managing Director of Cotecna, Mr. Ernest Woka, President of the Association Mr. Bolaji Akinola said there is no doubt that the company distinguished itself in keeping with the terms of contract with the Federal government and even surpassing same in some areas.
Akinola recalled that apart from installing and operating world class scanners at its appointed lots across the seaports in Apapa and Tin Can ports, Abuja and Kano airports, and Jibiya and Banki border posts, the company accordingly implemented Risk Management System that is second to none and which is known to have aided in discovery of illicit trade practices.
Bolaji appealed to customs to utilize resources and investments deposited in the skilled and certified officers by engaging them to serve in the appropriate sections and areas of their acquired skills and specialization.
He noted that even though the DI contract required CDIL’s training of 350 officers and 50 stakeholders, “Cotecna has performed well and went as far as training about 2000 officers to take over the operations and boost smooth trade facilitation and revenue for government”.
Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited (CDIL) Nigeria had a seven-year Build, Operate, Own and Transfer Destination Inspection contract with the Federal Government of Nigeria during which it carried out practical oriented programs which were a followed-up with various classroom and theory sessions for customs officers for the eventual takeover in line with the contract terms.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.
