THE Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) Special Task Force on Illegal Importation, (South West Zone) has sealed five Chinese warehouses between January and February 2019 over trade infractions. The group also disclosed that a total of ten containers of 6 by 20ft and 4 by 40ft with various infractions ranging from concealments, smuggled goods were intercepted from various parts of Lagos State.
Speaking on Thursday at a press briefing in Lagos, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IMAN Special Taskforce, Prosper Okolo, said some of the affected warehouses were found to have contravened import laws and duty underpayment.
Okolo noted that some of the warehouses visited by the team involved in the illicit trade are owned by foreigners, mostly Chinese, adding that five suspects have been arrested in the last two months.
While highlighting some of the companies allegedly involved in some of the nefarious activities, the COO fingered Megachem Nigeria Limited, Kevolinks Digital Limited, Kwikfit Nigeria Limited, Inomek Nigeria Limited and Bosac Nigeria Limited as some of the perpetrators.
Okolo noted that “Aside from the concealments, some of them short paid the government to the tune of billions of Naira.
“Between January and February, the Taskforce also received credible intelligence of some warehouses involved in production and importations of fake and sub-standard products without approval from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regulations.
“The task force has so far sealed 5 warehouses which were found to deal in importation of tyres, used clothing, unwholesome products among others without the required regulations and permits.
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“The association is collaborating with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), through intelligence and enforcement of its mandates to checkmate illegal activities of smuggling, fraud, illegal importations, forgery, concealments and other economic sabotage.
“These acts, the task force sees as not only economic sabotage, but also endangering the lives of Nigerians as these tyres, though new, have lost its value due to the way it was concealed and imported into the country.
“At this point, we want to reiterate that, the IMAN Special Task Force is not out to witchhunt anybody or organizations, neither is it to challenge or rub shoulders with any agency of government.
“The Task Force is out to complement the efforts of government agencies to rid our country of nefarious activities perpetrated by unpatriotic Nigerians and their foreign collaborators who deprived the country of not only required revenue but also post danger to the health of Nigerians.
“Our appeal goes to the importers, clearing agents and manufacturers to please abide by the country’s regulatory and fiscal requirements in carrying out their businesses.
”It is on this note we also appeal to members of the public to avail us with the necessary information regarding import frauds, forgeries, concealments and smuggling activities that will expose these economic saboteurs of their unpatriotic acts.”
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