By Ade Jacobs
Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited (WFNL), has denied being part of the litigation against the federal government over a N3 trillion Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) modernisation contract awarded to a private firm, Messrs E-Customs HC Project Limited.
The controversial contract was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in September this year and was recently criticised by the Nigerian Senate which also summoned the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), after some interested parties in the contract threatened to sue the federal government.
WFNL, the firm currently responsible for managing customs scanners at all entry points in the country, was mentioned as one of the aggrieved parties in the controversial 20 year contract.
But in a statement released on Monday, the company’s managing director, Ope Babalola, said it had no objection to the contract as far as it will improve customs’ revenue generation into the federation account. The firm added that the modernisation contract will facilitate trade without compromising national security.
The statement read in part, “We deny the reports linking our company, Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited, in respect of a litigation process challenging Federal Government’s move on Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation.
“Importantly, we want to reiterate that Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited is not in court with the Federal Government of Nigeria. We have never engaged in litigation with any ministry, department or agency of government.”
It said those behind the reports are planning to destroy the mutual relationship it enjoys with the federal government because it does not know what “motives any parties may have for adding our name to a lawsuit we know nothing about.
“We find it misleading and disruptive to our excellent relations with the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and the Nigeria Customs Service.”
“We wish to once again restate our support for the Federal Government drive for modernisation of Nigeria Customs Service, which synchronises with our vision as a service provider in this line of business.
”We are unequivocally committed to supporting the government’s intention for a more modern customs administration that will improve in revenue collection, trade facilitation and productive speed without compromising national security,” the firm stated.