Customs commence electronic auction of seized goods

The online platform of Nigeria Customs’ Service (NSC) through which e-auctioning of overtime and seized cargoes would henceforth be auctioned was officially launched on Monday.

With that, every Nigerian irrespective of locations now has unfettered access to bid for all seized goods electronically.

Flagging off the e-portal in Abuja, Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs, Col.(rtd) Hammed Ali described the occasion as historic in the annals of customs formation against the backdrop of transparency, equity and fairness the new electronic bidding platform represents.

“The launch of the e-auction platform today marks complete departure from the manual process of the past that was open to abuses.”

“In the past, stakeholders had accused the Service of nepotism, short changing the government of revenue arbitrary auction fees to be paid by allottees and sundry corruption allegations against the Service,” he said.

Ali stated that upon assumption of duty, he opted for suspension of the old manual form of auctioning overtime and seized cargoes to give way to development of an electronic platform that will be secured, transparent, capable of increasing revenue as well as providing equal opportunities for all Nigerians who are interested in the process.

Ali declared that henceforth, that would be the only way by which seized items cleared by court are put out for auctioning.

To bid for items, a bidder is expected to login to designated site, click to list of items and make a selection.

There is a reserved price for each item but the item goes to highest bidder and a bidder is allowed a maximum bid of two items.

Winner of bids receive instant message through their mail and is given minimum of five working days to effect payment at a designated bank.