…As Unidentified Rivers State Importer Disappears Into Thin Air
…Fails To Produce End User Certificate
…As NCS Pegs Duty Value At N9.7 Billion
…Hands Over Chopper To NAF To Fight Insurgency
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), today seized two Bell civil models Bell Helicopters imported into the country by yet to be identified importers.
However, sources at the Lagos Airport linked the importer to Rivers State but investigation revealed that because the transaction was not documented, the state government denied importing the two Bell civil models Bell Helicopters.
Abelnewsbng.com learnt that as result of the failure of importer to present himself, pay the necessary duties and produce end user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser ( NSA) in contravention of Section 36 ( 2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act ,the two Bell Helicopters were today handed over to the Nigerian Air Force .
Speaking to journalists at the Command office at the Lagos Airport, the Customs Area Comptroller, Frank Allanah disclosed that the duty paid value of the two helicopters and other accessories is over N9, 757,135,240.86.
He said the helicopters were flown in as a consignment with Airway Bill Number 17232444403 into the country through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The helicopters, Allanah said were detained at the Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) shed pending fulfillment of all legal requirements for the importation.
He said upon examination, the consignment was found to contain two civil models 412 EP of serial numbers 36608 and 36606 Bell Helicopters respectively, in standard configuration and 23 packages said to contain their accessories weighing 11,075 kilogrammes.
According to Allanah, “The unknown importer could not produce end user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser ( NSA) an act which contravenes section 36 sub section two Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 . Consequently seizure was effected on November 7, 2016 in line with section 46 of CEMA.”
Giving further insight into the seized choppers , he said all legal issues were considered before the Customs Authorities carried out the exercise.
He said the chopper will be useful to the Nigerian Air Force in the fight against insurgency as the chopper were specially designed for such operations.
Speaking during the hand over the chopper, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the two Bell choppers and accessories will be taken to the Nigerian Air Force hangar at the Lagos Airport for full examination in collaboration with Customs officials.
He described the handover as a milestone, because the configuration of the aircraft is fitted for military combat operations.
He said the presidential approval for the release of the two helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force will assist to fight the war against insurgency and internal security engagement.
A source in SAHCOL, who spoke on the issue said he could not confirm if the choppers were imported by Rivers State Government
The source said Customs reserves the right to seize any aircraft or imported item if the importer fails to show up for clearance and payment of necessary duty on the consignment .
Meanwhile, the Area Comptroller also disclosed that revenue totaling N55, 505, 499,945.35 was collected from January to December 2016 by a highly dedicated work force of the Customs Airport Command, surpassing the collection of 2015 which stood at N24, 746,642,881.3 billion.
The increase in revenue collection, he said is N12.8 billion above the previous year despite decline in cargo through put from 76.9 million tonnes in 2015 to 64.63 million tonnes in 2016.
The command, he added made several seizures of elephant tusks, foreign currencies and other times.
