The Tincan Island command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has denied allegations of extortion and corruption leveled against some of its officers posted at the Clarion Bonded Terminal by some sections of the media describing it as false.
Recall that some importers and their agents on Monday carried out a protest over what they called extortion and high handedness of the O/C Gate which they said made life at the terminal unbearable and adds to the cost of doing business.
However, in a statement on the allegation, the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Uche Ejesieme called on the general public to disregard the allegations of extortion adding that the reform agenda of the Customs Area Controller was very emphatic on compliance and due diligence.
Ejesieme added that the command would not lower its guards in enforcing the fiscal policies of the federal government in terms of trade saying that the position of the Customs Area Controller might appear punitive, however, it was not in any way intended to victimize or frustrate any compliant trader or facility owner.
He said,” We wish to therefore disabuse the minds of the general public to their allegations of extortion which triggered unnecessary and mindless protest leading to disruption of activities at the Bonded Terminal in question. We hereby enjoin importers and their agents to ensure strict compliance with import guidelines and avoid false declaration which may necessitate actions that might be viewed as high handedness.
“Finally, TCIP as a user friendly port would like to reassure importers and their agents that we are still deeply committed to our resolve to reward compliance and transparency as the task of nation building is a shared responsibility”.
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