12th September, 2011
The Federal House of Representatives has set up an ad-hoc committee to probe the alleged illegal concession agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Single Window Systems and Technology Limited, SWST.
As the ad-hoc committee from the Federal House of Representatives starts a public hearing on the concession agreement today, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, has called for the invitation of the ex-Finance Minister to shed more light on the issue.
Addressing newsmen at its headquarters in Lagos at the weekend, the founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, said the public hearing by the House of Representatives is most appreciated as it will enable all interested maritime key players know what Single Window Operation stands to offer the industry and indeed the entire country.
Aniebonam wondered whether the former minister was in consultation with the Customs authority before entering into the alleged illegal partnership with Single Window System and Technology Limited in accordance with Section 5 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA.
He pointed out that the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business, UNCEFACT, favoured government agency with the legal, political, experience, finance and organisational impetus to manage Single Window Portal which the Nigerian Customs Service can handle.
Also speaking at the event, Barrister Fred Akokhia called on the members of the ad-hoc committee to make it possible for all stakeholders to have access to the agreement, including exposition of the real owners of the Single Window System and Technology Limited Board of Directors by the Corporate Affairs Commission.