Imo/Abia Customs Trains Officers, Traders on Use of Excise Register System
By Gift Wada
In a bid to strengthen efficiency and transparency in excise duty administration, the Imo/Abia Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a two-day on-site training for Resident Officers and Excise Traders on the use of the Excise Register System (ERS).
The training, held on Thursday, 16 October 2025, was jointly organised by the Department of Excise, Free Trade Zone and Industrial Incentive, and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It aimed to equip participants with practical knowledge of the ERS for improved data management and revenue accountability.
Declaring the session open, the Customs Area Controller of the Imo/Abia Area Command, Comptroller Blessing Ihenacho, represented by the Deputy Comptroller of Operations, DC Happiness Ekpi-Ebri, urged officers to take the exercise seriously. She said the adoption of the ERS is part of the Service’s broader effort to enhance efficiency and block revenue leakages in excise duty collection.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is committed to leveraging technology to promote transparency and efficiency. Officers must ensure they apply this system effectively to achieve its intended purpose,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting team, Assistant Comptroller Aliyu Idris from the Department of Excise, Free Trade Zone and Industrial Incentive, noted that the training received the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs to ensure uniform proficiency across excise factories nationwide.
He explained that mastery of the ERS would enhance accountability and streamline excise operations.
Excise traders who participated in the training included representatives from the Nigeria Bottling Company, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Golden Guinea Breweries Plc, Seven-Up Bottling Company Ltd, Afrobeverages & Distillers Ltd, and Henaco Beverages Ltd.
