Daily Independent Online.
*
Wednesday, July 21, 2004.
Destination Inspection to take-off, as equipment arrive
Stories by Muyiwa
Dare
Maritime
Reporter,Lagos.
The much awaited Destination Inspection
(DI) may soon be flagged off at the nation’s ports, following an
indication recently that despite suggestions from certain quarters that the
contract be stopped or withdrawn from Cotecna Inspection SA, the company will
still have its way.
Sources in Abuja disclosed that the main
committee, set up to review the implementation of the Destination Inspection,
has disagreed with the report of the sub-committee, which investigated the
contract.
It was further gathered that the main
committee did not agree with most of the recommendations made by the
sub-committee, which include the suggestion that the contract be reviewed from
10 to five years, while other agents should be brought in.
The sub-committee was also said to have
gone beyond its mandate by going into other matters outside its jurisdiction.
Already, the main committee has reportedly
submitted a different report, which sources said President Olusegun Obasanjo
may be favourably disposed to.
The confusion allegedly brought about by
the sub-committee’s recommendation was said to have caused the delay in
the implementation of the Destination Inspection, against the expectations of
operators.
The earlier suspension of the commencement
date of January 1, this year, for the Destination Inspection by the Federal
Government was based on the recommendations of the sub-committee, which
necessitated the setting up of the implementation committee, headed by the
Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, which was given three months to submit
its report.
With the submission of the main
committee’s report, it is expected that any moment from now, the scheme
would be flagged off. Already,
Cotecna has brought in two of the 17 hydro-scanning machines, designated for
the exercise, and expected to make
the country maximise revenue, accruing from import duty payment.
Clearing agents have expressed displeasure
that the inspection has been
delayed for too long without any justification.
President of the Association of Licensed Customs Agents,
Alhaji Inua Mohammed, had asked the Federal Government to explain to Nigerians
why the scheme was delayed, saying that the government had continued to lose in
the face of its non-implementation.
