FG acquires 300 scanners worth N688bn, to end physical examination of containers

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

For ease of doing business at the various nation’s ports and entry points, the federal government has resolved to acquire new 300 scanners worth N688.56 billion ($1.812 billion) to embrace digital examination of containers.

At a virtual stakeholders’ meeting on Apapa traffic situation, presided over by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, held earlier in the week, government made the intention known.

There has been series of back and forth on the issue of functionality of container scanners at the ports which left Customs with no option than physical examination that has continued to worsened congestions at the nation’s ports.

In a statement made available to nation update through Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity in the Office of the Vice President, it stated that the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), has said the installation of the 300 scanners at other critical entry points of the country will be facilitated when the National Single Trade Window comes into full swing.

hameed Ali

Ali called to memory the three scanners approved by the Federal Government which he said would soon be procured and installed at Apapa Port to improve service efficiency.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), had approved the purchase of scanners for the Port Harcourt Onne and Tin Can Island ports to fast tract ports operations.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, announcing the development after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), said the contract was previously approved by council in 2018 for the supply and installation of three numbers rapsican mobile cargo scanner. The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister stated, “These are large size cargo scanners that will be placed in Onne port, Port Harcourt port and Tin Can port. They are scanners that can actually drive containers through. That will fasten inspection and assist the Customs rather than open containers and do physical inspection as they are doing now that is causing us a lot of time as well as loss of revenue

“This contract is awarded to a company that is named Messrs Airwave limited and the contract is in the sum of $18.12 million of foreign component, there is also local component of N3. 255 billion inclusive of five percent VAT.”

Ahmed stated that the review became necessary in order to accommodate VAT which was not included in the initial contract and also due to dispute that arose on account of exchange rate differential.

“So we have now a resolution and an understanding and FEC approval for this contract to go on.”

The scanners can boast of such features that can screen for narcotics, weapons and undeclared items, they can also dictate arms and ammunition, legal importation and possession of arms and Light Weapons, and improve revenue collection.