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Customs Corner

Minister Of Finance Zainab Ahmed Commissions Customs Scanners In Lagos

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Author: Cynthia Idowu; Lagos.

In order to aid fast clearance of goods at the Port and generate more revenue for the Federal Government, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed Commissioned three 500 maximum capacity ultra-modern Scanners in Lagos.

The Minister of Finance also disclosed at the APM Terminal in Apapa, that one hundred and twenty Customs Officers and Men have already been trained to man the scanning machines and the scanners will further upgrade the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service in line with international best practices.

According to the Minister, the present process of physical examination of cargo is time-consuming thereby causing loss of revenue for the Federal Government, unlike the new scanners that can scan cargo in minutes and detect concealed goods in cargo.

“This process enables more cargoes to be scanned and brings about the desired efficiency and effectiveness in Customs cargoes examinations.

“I, therefore implore the Management of the NCS to collaborate with the contractors to ensure proper maintenance and full utilization of the Scanners within the thirty (30) months provided in the contract agreement, as well as enhanced capacity building and training of one hundred and twenty (120) Customs scanning officers.” She said.

Similarly, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) said, the Service is ever ready and will ensure good use of the new equipment.

“Unlike previous attempts at managing scanners, our officers have been trained up to level 2 maintenance capability. This ensures that the day-to-day management of these machines will be proficiently handled by our officers who have been trained and certified by the manufacturers to carry out basic maintenance.

“We appreciate our partners the terminal operators, who have taken the pains to adjust their operations to suit the innovations of the moment. Our continuous collaboration will ensure that cargos are promptly delivered for scanning and evacuated from the ports as soon as they are certified to be compliant by our officers and other regulatory agencies.” He said.

Considering the usefulness of the scanners, the CGC said, it will further aid full compliance with extant laws and facilitate trade for compliant traders.

“We know that this equipment will be of special benefit to manufacturers who import homogenous items in large volumes. We also know that importers of high-risk goods will no longer have any place to hide. So we are hereby putting recalcitrant traders on notice. They either change or be ready to face the full consequence of their actions.” He emphasized.

Speaking further, the CGC noted that, the cargo scanning process will not only reduce the stress associated with positioning, offloading and taking inventory of containers. It will store recorded images in a safe format easily accessible by all agencies from the comfort of their offices.

Another advantage is, it will make the auditing of transactions using images easier and will checkmate attempts by non-compliant traders to cheat the system.

“The challenge of security is of immense concern to all well-meaning citizens. Since we know that a good number of items that pose a threat to national security find their way through our various entry points, we believe that the equipment that is being commissioned today will greatly enhance our capacity to defend our dear nation.” He also stated.

“As we approach phase one of the customs modernization, we shall see the deployment of scanners to all sea ports, airports, and approved land borders. We shall also witness the launch of a central data management system when live feeds from our ports and borders can be viewed and monitored from our headquarters” He added.

The three Scanning machines were installed in Apapa Port, Tincan Island Port, and Onne Port respectively.

Customs Corner

TCIP Customs Sensitizes Officers, Stakeholders on Current Trends in Management of Cargo

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Author: Lucy Nyambi.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Tin-can Island Port Command, has organised a lecture on the current trends in cargo management at the port.

The lecture, organised for releasing, staff and examination officers and stakeholders held at the Command on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, noted that the lecture, is in compliance with the directives of the headquarters.

According to him, cargo examination is the bedrock of customs operations at the port. “The idea is to compare the physical content of the container with documentary submission by the declarant or the importer”.

And what we expect is to ensure that there is no revenue leakage within the system, ensure that national security is protected and also to build trade data.”

He further emphasized the importance of trade to the Nigeria Customs Service and to the country’s growth and development.

He said, “Trade is synonymous with the Nigeria Customs Service, and the management of trade has a correlation with the development and growth of any nation. The moment you manage trade effectively in a country, that Country will have prospects and prosperity.”

He emphasised, “We are making our own contribution as a country through the NCS to also develop our environment.”

Participants at the lecture commended the Nigeria Customs Service’s efforts to improve its performance and that of stakeholders.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs, AC Ugochukwu Nwaogugwu, said the lecture “will go a long way to impact positively on our jobs, and the little mistakes will now be a thing of the past”.

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Customs Corner

Customs Forges Partnership With FRCN to Inform Nigerians its Mandates

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Author: Muhammad Bashir.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed readiness to foster collaboration with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) to enlighten Nigerians on the core mandates of the Service and its contributions to economic development.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, made this known on Tuesday, 26 March 2024, during a meeting with the delegation of the FRCN led by the Director-General, Muhammad Bulama, at the Service’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Addressing the delegation, the CGC stated, “Over the years, I have seen that partnership with the media is very effective. So you need the media to amplify whatever we do, and we have found very good support. We have found a very strong partnership from the media, particularly from Radio Nigeria.”

Reiterating his commitment to reshaping the narrative of trade in Nigeria, CGC Adeniyi informed DG Bulama that the Service has made arrangements to implement various initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency of international trade.

“We are doing a lot more than people know us for, and this is why we feel necessitated to embrace this offer of strategic partnership that you have extended to us, to reach out to Nigerians, and let them know those things that we are doing, which ordinarily, they don’t know,’’ he explained.

In his address to the CGC and the NCS Management Team, the Director-General of the FRCN congratulated CGC Adeniyi on his appointment and commended the significant progress he has made since assuming office.

“We are convinced that the wisdom of Mr. President, appointing you to this position is already bearing fruits and is amply justified. Thus, we have no doubt in our minds that you shall succeed in repositioning this very important organisation, a very critical organisation in the life of our country,” DG Bulama remarked.

He explained that his team sought partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that ‘’we are convinced that it is no longer the era of us just sitting down in our office and believing that Nigerians know what we are doing.

“We are not taking our mandate lightly. We thought that we should come so that together, we can collaborate to help our country realise its potential and greatness. It is our duty to support, publicise, and advocate for the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service,” he emphasised.

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Customs Corner

COWA Oyo/Osun Customs Area Command Visits Ibadan Orphanage, Shows Support for Children.

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Author: Vivian Daniel.

The COWA Chairperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command, Mrs Nnneamaka Oramalugo has led a delegation on a heart-warming visit to two motherless babies’ homes in Ibadan, Oyo State.

This was contained in a press release signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs, Kayode Wey, on behalf of the COWA Chairperson, noted that the visit occurred on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

The visit was in a bid to carry on the legacy and policy thrust of the National President of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Mrs Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, to alleviate the prevailing economic hardship being faced by Nigerians across the nation.

The Oyo/Osun COWA Chairperson, Mrs Nnneamaka Oramalugo emphasised that the noble visit to Child Care Home for Abandoned, Rescued Children and Juvenile Correctional as well as Home School for Handicapped Children located in Ibadan Oyo State was to extend love, care, and support to the children residing in these homes.

She was accompanied by members of COWA and some other officials from the Oyo/Osun Customs Area Command on what was termed as “a compassionate mission to bring joy and comfort to the lives of the children at the motherless babies’ homes.” The delegation also arrived at these homes with gifts, essential supplies and provisions generously donated by members of COWA.

During the visit, Mrs. Nneamaka warmly engaged with the children in various fun activities. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, smiles, and heartfelt moments as the children embraced the love showered on them by the COWA delegation.

She expressed her deep gratitude to the staff and caregivers of the motherless babies’ homes for their relentless commitment to providing an appropriate environment where the children under their care are well-nourished while reiterating the COWA’s unwavering support for other initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and well-being of such vulnerable members of society.

The Oyo/Osun COWA Chairperson stated that the visit to the motherless babies’ homes exemplifies COWA’s core values of compassion, empathy, and community service. It also underscores the organisation’s commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of the less-privileged and empowering women in society.

Furthermore, Mrs. Nneamaka Oramalugo presented palliative like Rice, Indomie Noddles, Toiletries and Detergent to Widows of Deceased Officers, as well as Widowers whose wives were registered members of COWA.

On behalf of the children, the staff and caregivers of the motherless babies’ homes expressed their gratitude and thanked the COWA Chairperson and member of the Association for their visit to the respective homes.

They also stated that the compassionate gesture and philanthropic efforts are highly appreciated, as they look forward to receiving more of such gestures, which they believe would go a long way to aid adequate provisions, especially, during this period of untold economic hardship in the country.

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