Customs intercept six containers of unprocessed timber scheduled for export

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ recently intercepted three trucks conveying six 20ft containers of logs of unprocessed timber which were already scheduled to be smuggled out of the country as export cargoes.

The Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘C’, Ag. ACG Olusemire Kayode while displaying the intercepted items at the zonal headquarters, Port Harcourt, stated that two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Kayode, who 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 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 2.00 pm, 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 Zone ‘C’ Controller, Comptroller Yusuf Lawal 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.

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President Muhammadu Buhari Friday at State House Abuja urged the MTN Group to make the available top-of-the-range service to its Nigerian subscribers…  Customs intercept six containers of unprocessed timber scheduled for export  ;  Customs intercept six containers of unprocessed timber scheduled for export  ;  Customs intercept six containers of unprocessed timber scheduled for export  ;  Customs intercept six containers of unprocessed timber scheduled for export.