The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it impounded 23 container-load of prohibited export-bound timber at the Apapa port. The Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Willy Egbudin announced this at a forum organised by the command for timber exporters in Lagos.
Egbudin said the containers were impounded because they loaded raw timber, pointing out that the law demanded that all timber meant for export must either be processed or semi-processed. He said that some arrests had been made, adding that the suspects would be prosecuted. ``We made these seizures because the timber are raw and so fall into the categories of wood or timber that the government has prohibited for export. ``The law demands that any timber meant for export must either be processed or semi-processed; by that some value would have been added to it. ``Some of those behind the illegality have been arrested and I tell you, they would be prosecuted,’’ Egbudin said.
The controller said there were efforts to encourage exportation of timber to earn foreign exchange. He, however, urged timber exporters not to undermine government’s good intention by circumventing the law. Egbudin advised the exporters to comply with all procedures and laws regarding exportation of timber in their own interest, as well as the country. ``The Apapa command will continue to do all it could to facilitate export trade. ``The command will also continue to enlighten exporters to ensure that they do their business right. ``We will continue to engage exporters and listen to them to ensure that there is understanding,’’ he added.
A timber exporter; Mr Joseph Odiase thanked the command for the forum, but urged it to simplify the process of documentation for export. Odiase said they were having difficulty in getting their documents processed, noting that this was a disincentive to them.
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