The Federal Government has paid N80.7bn to an international technology company, Webb Fountaine, the service provider in charge of the Automated System for Customs Data, ASYCUDA, under the destination inspection scheme which took effect January 1, 2006.

The firm, with headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, UAE, specialises in improving government services through e-government systems, business process reengineering and leading edge information technology.

The company provides the software management for the ASCUDA 3.0, which is the cargo inspection platform approved by the World Customs Organisation under a seven-year Build, Own, Operate and Transfer contract, which expired December 31, 2012, but was extended by another six months.

In many other countries, customs administrations manage their system but this contract was entered into to make up for the inadequacies of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, as it was then claimed that it would check revenue leakages, bring about efficiency and connectivity for all port stakeholders.

Under the second leg BOOT contract, which value is still top secret, in addition to training officers of the service, who are expected to take over the scheme, Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, SGS and Global Scan System provide the Computerised Risk Management System, CRMS, and scanning services for all imports into the country through the air and seaports as well as land borders.

A report by the House of Representatives Committee on Customs, which rated the performance of the company low, said that the Federal Government pays a whopping $6m (N960m) to the company monthly “to merely manage the ASYCUDA software”.

This, therefore, translates to $504m (N80.7bn) for the seven-year period of the contract, which now terminates on June 30, 2013.

Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Customs, Mr. Sabo Nakudu, had during a recent assessment visit of the DI contract performance, taken a swipe at Webb Fountaine over what he called poor execution of the contract.

Nakudu, who specifically frowned at the poor connectivity of other operators to Web Fontaine’s ASYCUDA software, alleged that its operations have been characterised by deficiencies in its service delivery.

Meanwhile, president of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Mr. Eugene Nweke, who commented on the development, noted that most operators will not be surprised at the outcome of the contract, which he said was made a top secret at the beginning.

“It is obvious that such contract cannot stand the test of time. You will agree with me that it has failed to prevent revenue leakage, failed to enhance connectivity of other port stakeholders as claimed in the beginning. It is not stable, not robust and consistent as people were made to believe at the inception,” he said.

While commenting on the aspect of the contract that specifies the training of Customs officers, he noted that a few of the officers were trained, which he insisted was grossly inadequate to sustain the system.

It was also gathered that most of the officers trained under the scheme, who are described as privileged few, have all retired from the service.

NCS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, said the authorities were concerned about the cost but said the Ministry of Finance was in the best position to talk about figures.

However, Mr. Paul Nwabiku, Special Assistant, Media, to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said last night that he was not aware of the amount being paid the company.

“I will need some time to get the information on that,” he told our correspondent on the telephone.

Source: http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/fg-pays-n81-7bn-on-customs-software/

Nigeria's problem always leaves room for too much to think about.

this is very sad

it can't be up to that, despite their infamous crookedness

Gather some nigerian developers give them 10 billie, they'll ceeate that system under a year

Mehnnn...how many jobs would have been created in Nigeria by this money...No. They are going to Dash the rich emiratis money....hiss

This is very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very absurd and sad. Smh!

someone should put this bitcch on the frontpage

Now I know FG is running m**

I dey vex

sheyie2007: Gather some nigerian developers give them 10 billie, they'll ceeate that system under a year

I dey vex

.

Ok...that money has bin shared. Next pls

Capital flight! We want to create employment, yet GEJs government buys dustbins from from europe and sofware from Dubai.

Edoboy1: Ok...that money has bin shared. Next pls

simple as that. . . na wa for this country.

An administration serious in creating a local software market would have started a competition for Nigerian programmers with a start up fund of a hundred K each and then given the winners a contract for 1 billion.
But then this is GEJ, it would have shocked me if there was some brain work involved.
Mention GEJ and i think of brazen corruption.

Now you know why Nigeria is one of the easiest places to make money in this planet
Especially if you know 'gofment' people

Now who's the real "theif"? , when people seat and loot government fund with pen, paper and just a signature. For Gods sake this staggering amount of money can fkn cause me sleepless nights when I think of it. Does any one need to be told that Govt. Officials in Nigeria are the most corrupt. For Gods sake that money would educate millions of Nigerians and also put f_u_c_k_i_n_g good food of millions of starving peoples table. OMG! I weep for my beloved Nigeria.

escobar07: it can't be up to that, despite their infamous crookedness

Snippets: Or It Might be more than that.. Due to their Famous crookedness

Gej might be wrong on some of his policies, but this right here is a welcomed development.

If this project will become efficient and successfully handed over to the FG in 7 years time, then its a thing to be happy about.

N81 billion for 7 years is child's play compared to trillions of Naira the FG looses on monthly basis through the fraud in Customs. These loopholes made some Nigerians like Atiku eternal billionaires.

Be reminded that Nigerian customs service is the most corrupt organisation in Nigeria followed by PHCN then Nigeria police Force.

reindeer: An administration serious in creating a local software market would have started a competition for Nigerian programmers with a start up fund of a hundred K each and then given the winners a contract for 1 billion.
But then this is GEJ, it would have shocked me if there was some brain work involved.
Mention GEJ and i think of brazen corruption.

Mumu-ish, use that white matter residing in that yr small head at times, abeg. The contract was given in 2006 to last to end of 2012. GEJ Govt, tru d Min of Fin, only extended d contract by 6months days to d end of d contract when it became clear that d traind Customs staff where insufficient to handle d entire process. The extension was d lesser 'evil' rather than d collapse of what hv recently become a much improvd Revenue collecting Customs service....The mention of d name GEJ gives sm of u IJIOTS severe conspiratn, na wa..

sheyie2007: Gather some nigerian developers give them 10 billie, they'll ceeate that system under a year

Nobody pays you to start up such a project. you demonstrate your expertise and then you stand a chance.

Its obvious nigeria didn't pay that amount.its just those criminals that run this country that have inflated it to collect their share.the way billions dey waste every year naija go soon turn greece.na ecowas go dey give us aid

God will surely continue to Fire, Thunder,Disgrace, Melancholic, etc all our Shameful leaders......We have sound software companies in nigeria that can develop this application within a year

D ASYCUDA system has been in existence since d 90's, and dat implies dat d contract would most likely be more Dan wat we are been told. Maybe d upgrade was from 2006.

Ive seen that software.. Has this ms-dos kina interface.. Very user unfriendly.. But then, it's works.. I know I, and millions of naija ppl can do better.. But the oga at the top chose web fontaine..

WTF...I would have developed that for just N18.7m

wealthlift: Government sha, instead of them to nigerians developers, they are giving our money out, IDIOTS. Check out my signature to get the dstv software for your p.c and phones.

Seems like you are on a deadline to sell these your Dstv software, must you comment on all the topics just to sell a software?

As a developer, this is really sad.

wealthlift: Government sha, instead of them to nigerians developers, they are giving our money out, IDIOTS. Check out my signature to get the dstv software for your p.c and phones.

ban this idi;ot with fake free dstv shit