The National Assembly Must Act Fast

Mr. Okey Ibeke is a man of many parts with diverse interests in business, investments as well as media and image management services.  He is the Principal Consultant, Blue-Waters Maritime Resources  and International Trade Advisory Services, ITAS Ltd which, apart from offering consultancy services, also deals in and handles cargo, freight services, maritime, shipping, and transportation/logistics operations.

When the Maritime Nigeria, One Question crew led by Kelvin Kagbare  met him at a public place in Lagos, Mr. Ibeke responded to our one question on the way forward for the Nigeria Customs Service even before we finished asking the question:

“As far as I am concerned, the way forward for the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, is a total review of the so called modernization contract entered into by the NCS, whether the contract is on behalf of the citizens of Nigeria or some entrenched interests, I do not know. What I am certain about is that the Modernization agenda is not in the best interest of the country nor Customs”.

“What is this modernization they are talking about? Late last year, the Federal Government commissioned scanners at Apapa port which cost over $100m, the commissioning was done by  the then Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed and the former CG of Customs Ahmeed Ali; both of them said the scanners would modernize the operations of the NCS in line with international best practices”.

“The former finance minister specifically mentioned that the scanners were a milestone as part of efforts to expedite Customs operations, achieve ease of doing business, facilitate trade, prevent port congestion, increase revenue generation to government and improve national security so what could be more than this  when you talk of modernization of Customs operations”?

“As we speak, the Customs, CBN, Shipping companies and commercial banks are operating seamlessly on established portals where importers and clearing agents do business effortlessly and carry out cargo clearing without hitch, so what does those who say they want to modernize Customs want to come and do”?

“The concessionaire (Bergman Securities Consultant and suppliers limited) say they want to invest $3.2bn over a 20-year period, to generate about $200b for the Federal Government”.

“What are the concessionaires bringing? What investments do they want to make? Are they going to build offices, buy computers or what? What informed that $200b revenue projection? Is Nigeria condemned to importation? Is the FG not talking about industrialization? Is our imports supposed to increase or decrease?

“Who are the personnel that are going to carry out the modernization programme? Are the concessionaire going to bring other persons into the  Customs Service or its the same Customs officers who have been trained by the government over the years that will be doing the work while some persons collect free money”?

“The whole process leading to the approval of the modernization contract by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, presided over by former Vice President  Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on April 19, 2022 (twilight of the Buhari administration) is shrouded in controversies and violation of court orders”

“It is very important and urgent for the Federal Government to critically look at the whole gamut of this modernization kite been flown by some persons”

“The National Assembly should as a matter of urgent national interest call for a public hearing on the Customs Modernization brouhaha. The NASS should set up a powerful committee to probe and investigate very thoroughly, this whole Customs modernization idea”

Court Cases

The Customs modernization concessionaire has Bergman Securities Consultant and suppliers limited as the project sponsor, Africa Finance Corporation UFC as lead financier while Huawei Technologies will serve as trained lead technical service provider.

Companies such as E-customs HC Project Limited and Bionica Technologies (West Africa) Limited have jointly challenged the alleged unlawful and fraudulent concession of the E-custom project to the defendants.

The Customs modernization process and contract has been embroiled in disputes for years.

Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, Ahmed Raji and Dipo Okpeseyi wrote separately to warn the principal officers of the Buhari administration such as the Attorney of the Federation, AGF; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and Secretary to the Government of the Federation of underhand efforts to obtain FEC approval and get ratification of the re-award of the e-Customs modernization Project.

Defendants in the suit filed at the Federal High Court Abuja are the Federal Government of Nigeria; Attorney-General of the Federation; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning; the Infrastructure Regulatory Concession Commission; Nigeria Customs Service; Trade Modernization Project Limited; Huawei Technologies Limited; African Finance Corporation and Bergman Security Consultant and Supply Limited amongst others.

Several Maritime Stakeholders have   spoken against the e-customs  agenda, calling for its cancellation and outright nullification.

All eyes are on the Bola Tinubu led government to listen and do what is best for the country.