….demand fresh documents on export oversight
By Cynthia Adams
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating pre-shipment inspection of exports and the non-remittance of crude oil proceeds has expressed dissatisfaction with submissions by key government agencies, directing them to return with comprehensive and updated documentation.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Seyi Sowunmi, issued the directive at the resumed investigative hearing on Wednesday, ordering the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to submit all documents earlier requested by the panel.
The Committee said the documents presented by the agencies were not up to date, stressing that it would communicate fresh dates for their reappearance.
In her presentation, Deputy Comptroller-General Caroline Diagwan, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, outlined the role of the Service in export processing.
She said, “Our role as regards export of food is we get what we call NXP, and then certificate of inspection, as well as export permit. We now make sure that those documents tally with what has been exported at the point of export. So we do examination as well as physicalization of food. That is the role we play.”
She added, “We make sure that what is being exported tallies with the documents sent to us by the CBN, that’s the NXP, and then the export permit from NUPRC. We are there at the point of inspection. After inspection, that’s when they do the exportation. Customs are there with other government agencies.”
However, she clarified that revenue collection is outside the Service’s mandate in the context of exports.
“We don’t collect export duties, actually.
And we don’t really know how much money they are paying to the government, because that’s not our purview. So as long as the documents they issue to us clearly with what is there physically, they are good to go,” she stated.
According to her, export activities take place at terminals under the Oil and Gas Command in Port Harcourt and other commands in Edo and Delta States, with monthly returns forwarded to headquarters covering both exports and imports.
On his part, Director at the CBN, Dr. Musa Nakurji, representing the Governor, Yemi Cardoso, explained that the apex bank’s role is largely administrative and system-driven.
“So, regarding the issue of pre-shipment inspection, by the Act of 1992, Central Bank is actually saddled with the responsibility of the administrative side of it. So let me first of all start by making a bit of a correction. If you look at the pre-inspection act, Central Bank does not appoint the pre-inspection agent,” he said.
He also dismissed claims of manual processing of export forms.
“Then the second thing again, in terms of the form NXP, we don’t send anything manually to Customs. The process is automated. And Customs latch on to that to get their report.”
Explaining further, he said, “So in Central Bank, we have the trade monetary system. This happens on the trade monetary system and the SVP. So from the bank, the commercial bank of the exporter, they open the form NXP.”
On inspection requirements, he added, “And now there is what is being referred to as clean certificate of inspection. So anything that is going out, the pre-inspection agent will have to inspect that in terms of the quantity, the quality and the value. If they do that and they’re satisfied with what they have, they now issue a CCI.”
NPA: We Station Agents at Terminals
Representing the NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the General Manager, Tariff, Ibrahim Lukman, told the Committee that the Authority appoints agents stationed at export terminals to monitor activities and relay information.
He said the NPA works in collaboration with other government agencies within its legally defined jurisdiction at the ports.
NACCIMA: No Role in Crude Oil Exports
In his submission, NACCIMA Director, Dr. Emmanuel Akeh, clarified that the body has no role in crude oil exports.
He said the association only issues certificates of origin for non-oil exports to certify and authenticate products leaving the country.
In his remarks, Sowunmi stressed that the probe is central to ongoing efforts to block revenue leakages.
“Because part of the problems Mr. President is trying to cure is that we should account for every kobo that accrues to the nation. And that is what this committee seeks to achieve,” he said.
He warned the agencies to be prepared for further engagement.
“Please, we’re going to get back to you, we’re going to write to you, and then, any necessities that we need, submit on time,” he directed.
The Committee also ruled that any official appearing on behalf of an agency head must present a formal letter of authority confirming their nomination and empowering them to speak on behalf of their principal.
With the fresh directive, the probe is set to intensify as lawmakers seek clarity on the roles and possible gaps in Nigeria’s export pre-shipment framework amid concerns over crude oil revenue leakages.
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