Harboursandport.com: Port Harcourt - The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone 'C' has impounded three trucks conveying six 20 foot containers of logs of unprocessed timber.
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| Zonal Coordinator Zone C, Ag. ACG Olusemire Kayode (m) addressing the press on the impounded containers of unprocessed timber |
The Zonal Coordinator for Zone 'C', Ag. Assistant Comptroller General, ACG
Olusemire Kayode while displaying the intercepted items at the zonal
headquarters, Port Harcourt on Monday added that two suspects were arrested in
connection to the seizure.
Kayode noted that the exportation of unprocessed timber contravenes
schedule 6 of the Extant Common External Tariff (CET) added that deforestation
comes with negative effects such as desert encroachment and environmental
degradation.
He added that when tree felling is not checkmated, the ecosystem and its
biodiversity are left to suffer.
He decried the economic loss brought upon Nigeria with the exportation
of unprocessed logs adding that employment creation which results from local
processing of the logs is vital for Nigeria's teeming youth.
He commended the Controller of the FOUC Comptroller Yusuf
LAWAL Psc+ and officers of the Unit for their resilience, doggedness and
steadfastness in tackling smuggling and cautioned against senseless
attacks on our operatives while carrying out their legitimate duties.
"On July 16, 2021, at about 2.00pm, one of the surveillance teams of
FOU Zone 'C', acting on credible intelligence trailed and intercepted three
trucks conveying 6×20ft containers of logs of rough timber along industrial
road, Port- Harcourt.
"We also arrested two suspected smugglers who were attempting
to export the unprocessed logs but they have been released on administrative
bail.
"Exportation of rough timber which contravenes schedule 6 of
the extant CET comes with negative economic and environmental effects and must
not be condoned", he said.
Also speaking, the FOU ‘C' controller, Comptroller Yusuf Lawal psc+ said
that the logs were about to be smuggled out of the country without clearance
from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
He gave the marks and numbers of the containers to include MSCU-3470637,
MSDU-1497355, MEDU-9739916, MEDU-5627573, MSDU-6248794 and MEDU-6792783.
His words: "NEPC is an agency of Government which takes note of
products that are meant for exportation so that the proceeds can be repatriated
accordingly.
"Unfortunately NEPC is not aware of these logs and have not issued
any Nigeria Export Proceeds form, further confirming, therefore, that the logs
were about to be smuggled out," he said.
He however urged Nigerians to assist the Service with relevant
information to aid its activities for the general good of the country.
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