'Tokunbo' automobiles: Customs signs vehicle import deal with Benin Republic

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a new vehicle transit regime for automobiles being imported from the Republic of Benin, in a bid to check vehicle smuggling and ensure easy transit of imported automobiles.

The new transit code will see all Nigerian -bound vehicles imported from the Republic of Benin handed over to the NCS by the  Customs Service of the Republic of Benin after due clearance.

According to a statement signed by the public relations officer of the Seme Area Command of the NCS, Mr Ernest Olottah, the new vehicle transit system will also be implemented in other neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic, with the Republic of Benin and Seme Border as area of pilot implementation.

The statement noted that the new policy was a fallout of a March 26, 2014, meeting of directors-general of Customs of the five proximate countries held in Abuja and in line with the Transit Code.

The scheme is adjudged to have features of accountability, transparency and easy personal evaluation and monitoring and will have names of officers responsible for transfers and receipts of manifests/vehicles from both countries. It will also indicate location of formal handing and taking over of imported vehicles on transit

The Seme Command Area Comptroller, Mr Willy Egbudin, who applauded the comptroller-general of the NCS, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, for his vision and high level professionalism in bringing the scheme to fruition, said that the regional security, facilitation of genuine trade and improving on the existing synergies between the NCS and other customs administrations sharing common borders with the country would be enhanced under the new regime. - Leadership.