By Ifeyinwa Ogwo:
Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) says that the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) electronic auction (e-auction) platform – https://app.trade.gov.ng/eauction/– is still functional and remains the only authentic means of auctioning goods to members of the public.
The CGC said this in a press statement signed by the public relations officer, NCS, T. Bomodi.
He noted; “we wish to state that auctions are periodical and advertised in advance on our website to avail members of the public the opportunity of selecting and bidding for items of their choice, as against the rumors making round that a special auction of over 7000 cars will be held soon by the service.
” Recall that the service deployed the e-auction platform in July 2017 specifically to improve efficiency in revenue generation to the Federal government, and as well provide equal opportunities to all Nigerians for easy disposal of seized/condemned and overtime/abandoned cargoes.
“Since the implementation of the e-auction portal, transparency, and integrity in the auctioning process were guaranteed,” CGC Hameed Ali said.
He then emphasized that interested persons in the e-auction bidding process should have a valid tax identification number (TIN) issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with an active e-mail account for the issued TIN, and be aligned with the terms and conditions of the auction process carefully before acceptance.
“Applicants must also have an authentic and nationally accepted identification card such as an International Passport, Driver’s License, National Identity card, or Voter’s card.
” Other guidelines can also be found on our education portal at https://app.trade.gov.ng/eauction/,” he said.
He then enjoined owners of uncleared vehicles in the ports to adhere to the VIN-Valuation protocol which is simplified, automated and made user-friendly for the clearance procedure.
