Guardian

• CRFFN seeks sustained awareness campaign

THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deployed its engineers to different sections of the fixed scanner installed at Seme border post by an indigenous service provider, Global Scansystems Limited.

Meanwhile, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has called for what it described as ‘sustained awareness campaign’ on the benefit of the fixed scanner at Seme border post.

Board member of CRFFN, Iju Tony Nwabunike, explained in a chat with The Guardian that there is need to educate stakeholders on the benefits of the fixed scanner to the country.

Deputy Comptroller (Administration), Gombe Abah, who spoke at the weekend after an inspection tour of the facility, described the use of the fixed scanner as ‘limitless’.

According to Abah, the process of scanning begins with an agent, adding that in the last one week several trucks have been successfully scanned at the facility.

The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority also used the opportunity to assure members of the public of their safety, pointing out that investigation conducted revealed that the environment was safe.

Conducting members of the committee on Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS), including its Chairman, Batare Musa, round the facility, Managing Director of Global Scansystems Limited, Fred Udechukwu, explained that the bio-diversity scanner is capable of separating organic and inorganic materials and can scan about 20 trucks per hour.

The mobile scanner, which has been operating at Seme border since 2006, according to the company now acts as “a stand-by.’’

The fixed scanner at Seme border brings to eight the number of scanners currently operated by the company under the Federal Government’s Destination Inspection contract.

Udechukwu explained that the eight scanners were manufactured, supplied and installed by Smiths Detection of France between 2006 and 2012, adding that it is jointly maintained with Smiths Detection of France.

According to Udechukwu, Global Scansystems currently operates the eight scanners at the Seme border post, and Ports and Terminal Multi-Services Limited at the Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos State.

He also pointed out that the scanners have been installed and operating at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport as well as Warri and Calabar ports.

He said: “The 9MeV Scanner, which is a marvel to watch is the first of its kind in south of the Sahara.

The company started operations in 2006 under Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) arrangement to issue the Risk Assessment Report (RAR) and scan goods imported into the country.