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Customs Corner

Customs CG Seeks Senate Support for Enhance Automation to Improve Agency’s Trade Facilitation, Revenue Generation

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Author: Muhammad Bashir & Abra Iruoghene.

The Nigeria Customs Service has sought the intervention of the National Assembly Senate Committee on Customs to address its core needs by providing modern tools for the complete automation of its operations to enhance trade facilitation and revenue generation.

Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR made this plea on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the Senate Wing, National Assembly, Abuja. He emphasized that this call underscores the Customs Service’s commitment to fostering economic growth, job creation, and dynamic trade relations.

Regarding the Senate Committee’s interest in doubling the NCS’s efforts in revenue generation, CGC Adeniyi emphasized, “not only introducing them but also standardizing them to enhance Customs’ clearance processes, revenue generation, which will be a better experience for both Customs administration and stakeholders.”

He recalled the initiation of the automation process by the Nigeria Customs Service in the late 1990s when it purchased modern gadgets, including computers and software, as part of the Service’s efforts to introduce computerization processes.

Discussing the concession issue, CGC Bashir Adeniyi highlighted some of the objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service’s requests to automate its operations. “The first major objective of the consortium was to provide an end-to-end ICT platform to digitalize procedures and processes. The second one is to look at the present infrastructure and update it in line with international standards, ranking amongst the best in the world.” He noted.

He explained that the third objective was to provide technology-based solutions to address challenges faced by the Service, emphasizing, “The last part is the general organization of our infrastructure to provide the tools needed that will be associated with these objectives, deliverables, and part of deliverables first is to build a Unified Customs Management System.”

CGC Adeniyi further explained to the committee members, “The system needs to process the traditions of goods that will provide electronic party systems for the Service whereby its entire processes would be automated.”

He added, “The conditions of the non-intrusive inspection system include provisions, revisions of cargo tracking systems, intelligent gates, new infrastructure, like a data center to build the capacity of officers because it is essential in the last phase of the project.”

Speaking on the Service’s strategic approach to enhancing trade and ensuring smooth businesses for local traders, CGC Adeniyi urged the Senators to actively support local business people in exporting items, emphasizing that such a perspective shift could significantly contribute to boosting Nigeria’s economy and play a pivotal role in job creation.

Responding to the Chairman Committee’s call on the Service to double efforts in revenue generation, CGC Adeniyi highlighted some measures that should be adopted to achieve giant strides. He added, “If we properly monitor the impact of these kinds of instruments, they do not represent an absolute loss to the economy.”

He also mentioned that adopting these measures would create jobs for Nigerians, enhance tax payments, attract investors, and rejuvenate industrial sectors, which, according to him, would not be a loss for the economy.

In response, Senator Muhammad Sani, the Chairman of the Committee, commended Adeniyi for the strides made in revenue generation. Expressing optimism, Senator Sani asserted that the Nigeria Customs Service, with its recent revenue records, appeared poised to multiply its financial contributions—an imperative for the country given its current economic needs.

He said, “By encouraging a more balanced approach, the aim is to empower local businesses through increased attention to export initiatives, aligning with a broader vision for a sustainable economic landscape.”

A similar interactive session with the Procurement Committee from the House of Representatives shed light on the financial commitments of the Nigeria Customs Service. However, discussions were postponed to another date.

Customs Corner

Apapa Customs Sets New Benchmark, Records All-time N1.5 Trillion in 9 Months

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Apapa Customs Sets New Benchmark, Records All-time N1.5 Trillion in 9 Months

By Femi Anamelechi

Comptroller Babatunde Olomu in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command has announced an all time highest revenue collection of N1.5 trillion from January to September 2024.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) made the announcement during a parade at the command on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.

He said the outstanding fit was made possible because of the meticulous documentation and professional discipline by officers and men of the Apapa Customs Area Command.

 

He praised the officers’ for their resilience, commitment and professionalism, while also charging them to do more. “We must surpass this achievement. We cannot afford to relax.”

The CAC assured that the service will continue to reward diligence, commitment and dedication to duty by officers.

Speaking shortly after the parade, Comptroller Olomu reiterated that the command’s outstanding performance in revenue generation was a result of the motivation and rewards system introduced by the command for officers who performed creditably.

“The excellent revenue generation of officers we recorded is as a result of blockage of all revenue generating leakage and proper documentation of payments by officers who were adequately motivated”, he stated.

He therefore, admonished officers in different categories to always strive for excellence in carrying out their statutory duties.

The CAC expressed the appreciation of Apapa Area Command to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for leading by example.

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Customs Corner

Four Officers Honoured for Exceptional Performance in Customs Airport Cargo Command 

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As Comptroller Awe Reaffirms CGC’s Dedication to Recognition

Author: Abass Quadri

Comptroller Michael Awe, in charge of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Cargo (MMIAC) Command, has recognised four officers for their excellent performance in executing their duties.

The officers were honoured during a parade at the Command on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.

Addressing the Officers and men of the Command, the CAC stated that the recognition, which will be done monthly or quarterly, is part of the CGC’s commitment to rewarding hardworking officers.

“There are four officers here, each representing one month from May to August 2024, who will be given letters of recognition today. The letters have reached the Office of the Zonal Coordinator, and he will send them to headquarters,” the CAC said.

Regarding the Command’s revenue generation efforts, Comptroller Awe noted that more than N16 billion has been collected so far. He appreciated the senior officers for their support, acknowledging that this success could not have been achieved alone.

The recognised officers include CSC Itinu Jimoh, CSC Moses Aboki, SC Jidda Aliyu, and IC Sanni Mohammed.

The officers expressed their excitement and gratitude to the CAC for recognising their efforts.

According to CSC Aboki, “The CAC has assured us that we do not need to harbour any fears. Henceforth, we will conduct more thorough examinations, as it is through this that we can detect illicit or underpaid items.”

The parade concluded with a free eye test provided by Poise Eye Care Limited.

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Customs Corner

Finance Minister Presides Over 60th Regular Customs Board Meeting

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Highlights Government Efforts to Ease Nigeria’s Cost of Living

Author: uhammad Bashir.

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on Tuesday, 10 September 2024, presided over the 60th regular board meeting of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The meeting, which he held at the newly built NCS headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, was said to be the first of its kind since the commissioning of the edifice by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

The Minister expressed his satisfaction with the board’s adherence to the decision to meet quarterly, describing it as an essential aspect of corporate governance.

He stressed that regular meetings and updates on financial performance were crucial for any government agency seeking to meet its objectives that impact positively on the citizens.

He highlighted further, “I think that board meetings serve as an important part of corporate governance and corporate governance is key to running an organisation efficiently as well as provide the necessary direction and management to keep government policies on track.”

The Minister also applauded the integrity and transparency of CGC Adeniyi, noting that the principles guiding the board’s operations were exemplary with a commitment to achieve laudable objectives and tenets to run an organisation like the NCS.

The Minister, who stressed the importance of collaboration between various ministries and the private sector, said the Nigeria Customs Service Board includes representatives from the ministries of Trade and Investment, Foreign Affairs, and Finance, as well as members of the organised private sector.

This congregation, according to Edun, “Ensures that critical national issues are thoroughly discussed and implemented in a timely manner”.

While filing questions about his feelings, he was the first Minister and NCSB Chairman to have chaired a meeting at the newly built NCS Corporate Headquarters, the Hon. Minister took the opportunity to commend the Customs Service on the achievement.

He said, “I congratulate the Nigeria Customs Service on this achievement of not just building a new edifice, but actually moving into it, making use of it, and keeping it very neat and tidy, and I pray for the success of all those who work at the new facility.

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