The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee tasked with investigating the pre-shipment inspections of exports as well as the non-remittance of crude oil proceeds has mandated several major government agencies and a private sector entity to compile and present comprehensive documentation related to its inquiry.
This directive was issued by Committee Chairman, Seyi Sowunmi (LP, Lagos), during a resumed investigative session on Wednesday at the National Assembly, following reviews of submissions from representatives of the agencies under investigation.
Mr. Sowunmi characterized the information provided by these agencies as both incomplete and outdated.
The entities directed to deliver detailed records include the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
The committee noted that it would officially notify the respective agencies of new dates for their appearances, when they will be expected to provide the information requested.
Earlier, representatives from these agencies outlined their specific statutory roles within the export framework, addressing both oil and non-oil shipments.
Caroline Diagwan, Deputy Comptroller-General representing the Comptroller- General of Customs, made it clear to the committee that the service operates strictly within its enabling Acts among other applicable laws. She highlighted that for food and other exports, the NCS is responsible for processing the Nigeria Export Proceeds (NXP) form, obtaining inspection certificates, and securing export permits. Customs has the responsibility to verify that the paperwork corresponds to the physical goods presented at exportation points.
"Our role concerning food exports entails obtaining the NXP, followed by a certificate of inspection and an export permit. We ensure that all the documentation lines up with what is being exported at the point of export," she explained.
She added that Customs performs both examinations and physical inspections to confirm that documents issued through the Central Bank’s platform correspond with the export permits from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), especially for oil-related shipments.
Ms. Diagwan emphasized that the Customs Service does not collect export duties nor is it accountable for monitoring payments made from such exports. She mentioned that export operations are managed at set terminals, which include the Oil and Gas Command in Port Harcourt and other regional commands, with operational reports submitted monthly to the headquarters.
Contributing to the discussion, the Central Bank asserted its role as the coordinating body for export documentation via its digital systems. According to Musa Nakurji, a director at the bank who represented Governor Yemi Cardoso, the Central Bank oversees the administrative framework established under the Pre-shipment Inspection Act of 1992 but is not responsible for appointing pre- shipment inspection agents.
He noted that the automation of the NXP process begins with the commercial bank of the exporter through the Bank's trade monitoring system, which allows Customs to access data electronically. "In the Central Bank, we operate a trade monetary system, and the entry of NXP forms is done by the exporter’s bank," Mr. Nakurji explained.
After accredited pre-shipment agents inspect the goods to ascertain their quantity, quality, and value, a Clean Certificate of Inspection (CCI) is issued before any export proceeds are released.
Representation from the NPA included General Manager Tariff Lukman, who informed the committee that agents appointed by the agency monitor activities at export terminals and report these to the Authority. He noted that collaboration occurs with other government bodies based on clearly defined jurisdictional limits at the ports.
NACCIMA, through director Emmanuel Akeh, clarified its lack of involvement with crude oil exports, stating that it provides certificates of origin for non-oil exports to verify their source and authenticity for international markets.
In closing remarks, Mr. Sowunmi reiterated the investigation’s objective of sealing revenue leakages and ensuring that all export earnings that should accrue to the federation are accounted for effectively. He emphasized that the committee's work aligns with the government's broader goal of enhancing transparency in revenue generation and bolstering fiscal accountability.
"Part of the challenge that the President is addressing is the necessity to account for all revenues that belong to the nation. That is what this committee strives to achieve," stated Mr. Sowunmi. He instructed that all agencies must present accurate and comprehensive documentation at their next session and further ruled that any representative attending on behalf of an agency’s head must provide an official letter of authorization empowering them to speak on behalf of their organization. The committee plans to reconvene on a date to be communicated to the relevant parties.
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