Despite Complaints, Customs Rakes In N151m From E-auction Exercise

Despite complaints by some individuals, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has today noted that it received a total of N151.02 million from its latest electronic auction, as at August 25, 2020.

In a statement in Abuja, Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah, made it known that a total of 314 items were auctioned on three windows, while 187 items were paid for as August 25.

He said the total bid amount paid was N151.02 million, adding that the total reserved bid amount was N87.9 million.

He blamed invalid Taxpayers Identification Numbers (TIN), poor network at  various locations, among others, for the difficulties experienced by some individuals in the bid process.

He said: “Since the reopening of the Nigeria Customs Service e-auction platform, app.trade.gov.ng/eauction, some complaints and inquiries have been pouring in, especially from those who tried unsuccessfully due to either invalid Tax Identification Numbers (TINs), inability to service e-wallet, poor network at their locations or any other reason which are all outside the jurisdiction of the Service.

He noted that some of the complainants had questioned the integrity of the e-auction process.

Attah however said that the complaints has not out ruled the success of the process, as a lot of persons still  participated and were successful.