Abuja: An Ad hoc Committee of the House of Representatives has asked relevant government agencies to provide all necessary documents on pre-shipment inspection of exports and the non-remittance of crude oil proceeds. The agencies include the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Chairman of the committee, Rep Seyi Sowunmi (LP-Lagos), gave the directive at a public hearing in Abuja. He stated that the documents already submitted were not up to date and emphasized the need for updated information before the next scheduled appearance. The lawmaker highlighted the importance of the investigation in addressing issues that lead to revenue losses for the country.
Rep Sowunmi noted that the committee’s efforts align with President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to combat revenue leakage, stressing the need for accountabil
ity for every Naira accruing to the nation. He assured that all relevant agencies would be informed of the dates to appear before the committee and the deadlines for submitting the required comprehensive documents.
In his remarks, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Bashir Adeniyi, explained the role of the service according to its establishment Act and other extant laws. Represented by Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) Mrs Caroline Diagwan, Adeniyi clarified that the NCS ensures documents match exports at the inspection point, but collection of duties is not within its scope.
Mr Yemi Cardoso, the CBN Governor, stated that the apex bank serves as the central hub for the activities of other agencies through platforms that manage data and information. Represented by a Director of the apex bank, Dr Musa Nakurji, Cardoso mentioned that the CBN’s 1992 Act assigns the agency administrative responsibilities for pre-shipment inspection, but it does not authorize the appointment of pre-in
spection agents.
Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), explained that the authority appoints agents at export terminals to relay information to the agency. Represented by General Manager (GM) Tariff, Mr Ibrahim Lookman Dantsoho, he stated that the NPA collaborates with other government agencies as prescribed by law, fulfilling its jurisdictional duties at export terminals.
Dr Emmanuel Akeh, a Director with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), clarified that while the organization does not play a role in crude oil exports, it issues certificates of origin for non-oil exports to certify product authenticity.