Customs Defends Use Of Only Jaiz Bank In E-Auction

The Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, on July 3 launched the e-auction platform to enable the agency auction some seized items to members of the public.

The exercise according to Ali was to generate revenue for the Federal Government, as well as provide equal opportunities to all Nigerians to acquire items.

However, following the official launch of the bidding platform, https.app.trade.gov.ng/eauction, it was discovered that only Jaiz Bank was ready and active on the platform.

The process faced major criticism from some sections of the public, following the inability to access the auction platforms in commercial banks other than Jaiz bank.

Reacting to public complaints, the NCS in a statement by its spokesperson, Joseph Attah on Monday said all 23 Customs duty collecting banks were notified on the exercise and properly trained to participate in the bidding process.

According to him, the NCS wrote to all the designated banks requesting them to “integrate with the e-auction application for the recharging of e-wallet.

“The Service wishes to make some clarifications, especially as the inability of other commercial banks to hook up to the platform is creating inconveniences that could lead to wrong perception that impinges on the integrity of the process,” Mr Attah said as the second phase of the bidding kicked off Monday.

“When the platform was developed, it was subjected to user acceptability test with all the banks, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Throughout this period, no bank indicated any problem with the platform.”

Mr. Attah said another letter was sent to the CBN stressing the need for it to confirm the readiness of all the commercial banks under its supervision to perform their roles to ensure the success of the project.

The NCS said they were informed that the other banks are making adequate efforts to hook up to the bidding system.

Despite the initial hitches, Mr. Attah said about 43 winners emerged during the first 48 hours bidding period. The winners had bided for 130 vehicles uploaded by the agency for auction.

Although 282 people registered, the NCS said 268 were enabled, with 245 able to generate e-wallet assessment. Out of 177 that recharged their e-wallets, 68 bided, leading to the emergence of 43 winners.

The second round of bidding, began today, Monday July 10, 2017 and  scheduled to end by 12 noon on Wednesday, with more banks expected to participate.

“We wish to assure the general public of the Service determination to ensure that the transparent and accountable e-auction process succeeds,” Mr. Attah assured