NIGERIA CUSTOMS ON THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH RECENT E-AUCTION

There is no doubt that the government warehouses in the Nigeria Customs Service commands all over the nation are overcrowded with seizures and overtime cargoes. It is on this note that stakeholders are applauding the service over her moves to not only decongesting these warehouses but also selling many of the vehicles to the public for useful purposes instead of rotting away. Since the relaunch of the e-auction portal of the Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday, January 16, 2023, the platform has recorded impressive results of many bids which are increasing on daily basis on a new platform. The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, in a press release said the new platform, accessible at https://auction.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng, is an upgraded version of the previous portal designed to provide Nigerians with an equal opportunity to participate. According to Maiwada, the Nigeria Customs Service emphasizes that successful bidders should promptly download their winning certificates through the provided link in the confirmation email. “Since its

relaunch, the platform has recorded impressive results, including: 1137 number of bids; 1099 registered applicants; 652 successfully paid administration fee; 100 vehicles uploaded on the window; 86 vehicles bided and won. “It is also pertinent to note that the auctions are periodic and open every Tuesday from 12 noon to 6 pm, providing the public with regular opportunities to select and bid for desired items. “For comprehensive details and guidelines on the e-auction process, interested participants are encouraged to visit the NCS website at www.customs.gov.ng. Any concerns or complaints can be directed to the NCS Helpdesk at 07037891156, operational from Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. “While we acknowledge occasional glitches reported by participants, potentially attributed to high traffic, our dedicated technical team is actively addressing the situation. We assure the public that initial issues will be swiftly resolved to ensure a seamless experience in all subsequent exercises. “The NCS remains committed to transparency, accessibility, and public engagement through its revamped e-auction platform, fostering a fair and efficient process for the disposal of seized and overtime goods," Maiwada stated.