The Federal Government has paid N80.7bn to an international technology company, Webb Fountaine, the service provider in charge of the Automated System for Customs Data, ASYCUDA, under the destination inspection scheme which took effect January 1, 2006.
The firm, with headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, UAE, specialises in improving government services through e-government systems, business process reengineering and leading edge information technology.
The company provides the software management for the ASCUDA 3.0, which is the cargo inspection platform approved by the World Customs Organisation under a seven-year Build, Own, Operate and Transfer contract, which expired December 31, 2012, but was extended by another six months.
In many other countries, customs administrations manage their system but this contract was entered into to make up for the inadequacies of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, as it was then claimed that it would check revenue leakages, bring about efficiency and connectivity for all port stakeholders.
Under the second leg BOOT contract, which value is still top secret, in addition to training officers of the service, who are expected to take over the scheme, Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, SGS and Global Scan System provide the Computerised Risk Management System, CRMS, and scanning services for all imports into the country through the air and seaports as well as land borders.
A report by the House of Representatives Committee on Customs, which rated the performance of the company low, said that the Federal Government pays a whopping $6m (N960m) to the company monthly “to merely manage the ASYCUDA software”.
This, therefore, translates to $504m (N80.7bn) for the seven-year period of the contract, which now terminates on June 30, 2013.
Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Customs, Mr. Sabo Nakudu, had during a recent assessment visit of the DI contract performance, taken a swipe at Webb Fountaine over what he called poor execution of the contract.
Nakudu, who specifically frowned at the poor connectivity of other operators to Web Fontaine’s ASYCUDA software, alleged that its operations have been characterised by deficiencies in its service delivery.
Meanwhile, president of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Mr. Eugene Nweke, who commented on the development, noted that most operators will not be surprised at the outcome of the contract, which he said was made a top secret at the beginning.
“It is obvious that such contract cannot stand the test of time. You will agree with me that it has failed to prevent revenue leakage, failed to enhance connectivity of other port stakeholders as claimed in the beginning. It is not stable, not robust and consistent as people were made to believe at the inception,” he said.
While commenting on the aspect of the contract that specifies the training of Customs officers, he noted that a few of the officers were trained, which he insisted was grossly inadequate to sustain the system.
It was also gathered that most of the officers trained under the scheme, who are described as privileged few, have all retired from the service.
NCS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, said the authorities were concerned about the cost but said the Ministry of Finance was in the best position to talk about figures.
However, Mr. Paul Nwabiku, Special Assistant, Media, to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said last night that he was not aware of the amount being paid the company.
“I will need some time to get the information on that,” he told our correspondent on the telephone.
Common sense is indeed not common.
Posted: at 19-03-2013 11:10 AM (12 years ago) | Hero
deboalabi262 at 19-03-2013 12:04 PM (12 years ago) (m)
Noted and moved on.....
Who Jah Blessed, No Man Cursed......
Posted: at 19-03-2013 12:04 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Keffejude at 19-03-2013 01:06 PM (12 years ago) (m)
e be like say na custom i go work 4 after my phd degree oooh these niggers dey chop money without joy, 2get better job spot 4 custom with masters degree now na 1.2million naira while nnpc na 1.8million mmmmmh, dont even wanna talk about shell. d rich are getting richer while theres no hope 4 d poor. whereas over 50,000 peole dey graduatuat 4rm each batch, thats like 150,000 graduates leaving nysc yearly yet no jobs. is it that our govt don't know what to invest 9ja's finances in, abi its just outer pure greed & wickedness ?
Posted: at 19-03-2013 01:06 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
WHY CAN'T THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT HAVE THE FEAR FOR GOD AND RESPECT FOR HUMANITY? WHY THIS MASSIVE AND UNCONTROLLABLE CORRUPTION? HOW CAN PEOPLE BE SO INHUMANE TO OTHER PEOPLE? WHERE IN THE WORLD DO YOU SPEND SUCH A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CUSTOMS SOFTWARE? THIS MONEY WILL SIMPLY GO TO INDIVIDUAL POCKETS, WE ALL KNOW THE TRUTH. WHY ALL THESE LIES AND SELF DECEIT? THIS IS NOT HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE YOU GOVERN ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY VOTED YOU INTO OFFICE. IMAGINE HOW MUCH MONEY IS SPENT ON A PROJECT THAT WILL EVENTUALLY COLLAPSE AND NOT EVEN IMPLEMENTED AT ALL. THEY JUST SELFISHLY INFLATE COSTS TO BE ABLE TO STEAL MONEY FROM A CERTAIN PROJECT. THIS HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY COULD BE ENOUGH TO CREATE MILLIONS OF GOOD JOBS FOR UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES AND EVEN INVESTED IN PROGRAMS SUCH AS; UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEME TO SUPPORT SUFFERING NIGERIANS. AT LEAST BUILD GOOD HOSPITALS AND ROADS IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE SUFFERING NIGERIAN. WHY NOT INVEST THIS HUGE SUM OF MONEY ON NATIONWIDE ELECTRICITY PROJECTS JUST LIKE THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES DID FOR THEIR CITIZENS? WHY NOT INVEST THIS HUGE SUM OF MONEY ON POTABLE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY, INCREASE IN WORKER SALARIES, GOOD EDUCATION FACILITIES, RURAL ROAD NETWORKS, PENSION PROGRAM, LOW COST HOUSING? NIGERIA IS NOT A CURES, NIGERIA IS A BLESSING FROM GOD. GOD HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING HUMAN BEINGS NEED TO KEEP LIFE GOING, BUT WE MISUSE THESE RESOURCES AND WE ARE UNGRATEFUL TO GOD.
Posted: at 19-03-2013 02:42 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
osarobo62 at 19-03-2013 03:55 PM (12 years ago) (m)
A report by the House of Representatives Committee on Customs, which rated the performance of the company low, said that the Federal Government pays a whopping $6m (N960m) to the company monthly “to merely manage the ASYCUDA software”.
Naija matter dey give son of man headache.
Posted: at 19-03-2013 03:55 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
abati666 at 19-03-2013 04:03 PM (12 years ago) (m)
everybody whe he concern don chop 4 inside finish....... you wait and see the quality of the end product....... na MEDIOCRE services dem go provide......... dat is if dem fit provide am in de first place......
Posted: at 19-03-2013 04:03 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
odprince at 19-03-2013 06:46 PM (12 years ago) (m)
our leaders are criminals and evil....how much did these peoples invest in our power and energy sector?how much for health care?how much for water and road?useless Nation with stupid and witchcraft leaders.......Nigeria is a curse today because of those idiot in politics...
Posted: at 19-03-2013 06:46 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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