1.
GV LAGOS DOCKS
0.01

2.
LV LAGOS CUSTOMS QUAYS
0.05

3.
LV AUCTIONEER AND CROWD
0.08

4.
MV CASES OF COGNAC
0.11

5.
MV WOMEN LOOKING INTO CARTES (2 SHOTS)
0.14

6.
GV SEIZED GOODS IN WAREHOUSE
0.17

7.
MV LABEL ON SIDE OF CRATE OF WINE
0.19

8.
MV AUCTIONEER PAN DOWN TO CROWD
0.27

9.
SV BIDDERS
0.29

10.
MV MAN MARKING GOODS
0.35

11.
CU SIGN: SOLD BY CUSTOMS
0.38

12.
MV WOMEN BUYERS LISTENING
0.41

13.
SV CUSTOMS OFFICER AND OTHERS AROUND BALES
0.45

14.
MV CRATE OF GLASSES
0.46

15.
MV MEN COUNTING MONEY PAN TO WOMAN BUYER
0.57

16.
CU MAN COUNTING MONEY
1.00

17.
MV WOMEN BUYERS
1.04

18.
MV GOODS BEING SHOWN TO CROWD
1.09

19.
MV BUYERS
1.10

20.
SV POLICE OFFICER
1.13

21.
GV UNCLEARED GOODS AT WHARF
1.15

22.
GV LINE OF LORRIES AWAIT CLEARANCE
1.18

23.
GV CARS FOR SALE AT AUCTION
1.21

24.
MV BUYERS INSPECTING CARS (2 SHOTS)
1.26

25.
CU SIGN ON CAR: ROYAL NETHERLANDS EMBASSY
1.28

26.
SV SIGN ON CAR: SHIPPED BY AUTO TRANSPORT LTD.
1.31

27.
MV BUYERS LOOK AT CAR ENGINE
1.34

28.
MV NO. PLATES OF CARS (2 SHOTS)
1.37

29.
MV NUMBER ON FRONT OF CAR
1.39

30.
GV AUCTIONEER MAKING ANNOUNCEMENT TO CROWD
1.44



Initials JB/V/CT/OS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: GOODS WORTH MORE THAN A MILLION POUNDS (STERLING) HAVE BEEN PUT UP FOR AUCTION BY THE NIGERIAN CUSTOMS AND EXCISE BOARD. THE ITEMS OFFERED HAD BEEN SEIZED BY CUSTOMS.

THE BOARD IS ALSO TO OFFER FOR SALE SOON ABOUT 200 MOTOR CARS MANY OF THEM NEW-WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN CLAIMED BY THEIR IMPORTERS.

TRADERS AND PRIVATE BUYERS TRAVELLED MANY MILES TO ATTEND THE SERIES OF CUSTOMS AUCTIONS AT APAPA WHARF IN LAGOS.

THOUSANDS OF ITEMS HAVE BEEN OFFERED FOR SALE RANGING FROM BALL POINT PENS TO TEXTILES AND MOTOR PARTS.

BUT MANY PROSPECTIVE BUYERS WERE DISAPPOINTED....THE CUSTOMS BOARD HAD PUT RESERVED PRICES ON MOST ITEMS, AND OFTEN THE BIDDING DID NOT REACH THE RESERVED PRICE AND THE GOODS WERE RETURNED TO CUSTOMS SHEDS.

THE CUSTOMS OFFICIAL EXPLAINED THAT THE BOARD DID NOT WANT THE MARKET FLOODED WITH CHEAP GOODS BECAUSE OF THE SALE.

CHEQUES WERE ACCEPTED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THIS SALE. THE DECISION TO ACCEPT THEN FOLLOWED PLEAS BY TRADERS WHO HAD TRAVELLED FROM THE PROVINCES. THEY SAID THEY DID NOT WANT TO CARRY CASH WITH THEM FOR FEAR OF BEING ROBBED.

THE CARS THAT THE CUSTOMS BOARD WILL OFFER FOR SALE SOON WERE IMPORTED INTO NIGERIA BUT HAVE NOT BEEN CLAIMED BY THE IMPORTERS WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWED. THE BOARD IS TO PUBLISH A LIST OF THE VEHICLES AND IMPORTERS AND ANNOUNCE A DATE WHEN THEY WILL BE AUCTIONED.

MOST OF THE VEHICLES ARE GERMAN OR FRENCH-MADE.