Clearing agents under the aegis of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) have picked holes in the server services being provided for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) by Webb Fontaine Ltd, blaming incessant server breakdown at the ports on the low-quality nature of server services available at the ports.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune exclusively, National President of NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero explained that what is in the contract signed between the government and Webb Fontaine is not what is being implemented.
According to Mr. Amiwero, “I was the sub-committee Chairman that was appointed to reform the Nigeria Customs Service, but the committee has been disbanded.
“As things stand, we have to go back to the original contract signed with Webb Fontaine. What Webb Fontaine is providing at the ports is not what is in the contract.
“Webb Fontaine is originally contracted to supply ASYCUDA World, not the NICIS 1 or NICIS 2 that is presently being supplied at the ports. That’s why the Customs server keeps breaking down at the ports and importers are always at the receiving end paying huge demurrages and storage charges due to the attendant delays.
“Webb Fontaine actions are questionable because the firm is currently not supplying ASYCUDA World at Nigerian ports. Again, Webb Fontaine is supposed to have handed over to the Customs since 2014, but that has also not happened.
“The server that is being used at the ports as we speak is not what was recommended for in the contract signed between government and Webb Fontaine.
“ASYCUDA World is the real thing, not the Executive Platforms that is currently operational where they have NICIS 1 and NICIS 2. “
Recall that issues with Customs server breakdown has led to cargo delays at the nations ports, raising questions over the manner of server services that is being provided to the Nigeria Customs Service.