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| ACG of Customs Zone ‘A’ Eporwei Edike presenting a plaque to Barrister Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, at the ACG’s visit to the Council on Friday in Lagos. |
The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) and the
Nigerian Shippers’ Council have agreed that making the nation’s ports more
efficient in service delivery requires full deployment of ICT and automated
system for improvement.
Nigerian Shippers’ Council have agreed that making the nation’s ports more
efficient in service delivery requires full deployment of ICT and automated
system for improvement.
Both agencies held talks at the visit of
the Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) of Customs Zone ‘A’, Eporwei Edike, on
a courtesy call to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council,
Barr. Hassan Bello on Friday in Lagos.
Edike said his understanding the sensitive
demands of trade and the role of the Service, led him on the visit to get
first-hand information of areas that need to be addressed immediately for
improvement.
demands of trade and the role of the Service, led him on the visit to get
first-hand information of areas that need to be addressed immediately for
improvement.
Appreciating Edike’s working visit, Bello
solicited for the support and continued collaboration of the Nigeria Customs
Service to achieve a competitive port system for trade services.
solicited for the support and continued collaboration of the Nigeria Customs
Service to achieve a competitive port system for trade services.
He said : “We believe that modern trade
facilitation is anchored on automation, on ICT, electronic interface. This will
bring about the much needed transparency, efficiency, and it support
collaboration.
facilitation is anchored on automation, on ICT, electronic interface. This will
bring about the much needed transparency, efficiency, and it support
collaboration.
“You recall that automation of the port for
cargo clearance is one of the cardinal functions of the NSC. But we need the
customs for us to come together frequently as much as possible, so people will
know we are serious about this automation in the ports.
cargo clearance is one of the cardinal functions of the NSC. But we need the
customs for us to come together frequently as much as possible, so people will
know we are serious about this automation in the ports.
“Now, there is corruption in the port
system, and this corruption, one of the easiest ways to check it is through
ICT. We have been to many ports even in our sub region where human contact is
minimal and with automation, human contact becomes minimal.
system, and this corruption, one of the easiest ways to check it is through
ICT. We have been to many ports even in our sub region where human contact is
minimal and with automation, human contact becomes minimal.
“With that, it means payment is done
electronically. It also shows transparency and pinpoint where the delay is. You
will be able to know when a container is positioned or cleared.”
electronically. It also shows transparency and pinpoint where the delay is. You
will be able to know when a container is positioned or cleared.”
On full automation of cargo clearance
procedure at the sea port through the use of Single Window System, the ACG said
the Service would continue to be alive to its responsibility to ensure a
success of the single window system, even as the shipper’s council urged the
customs to champion the full take off.
procedure at the sea port through the use of Single Window System, the ACG said
the Service would continue to be alive to its responsibility to ensure a
success of the single window system, even as the shipper’s council urged the
customs to champion the full take off.
According to Bello, an effective single
window system would readily support the transportation minister’s quest to
achieving the 48- hour cargo clearance mandate given to the Nigerian Shippers’
Council and the Customs Service.
window system would readily support the transportation minister’s quest to
achieving the 48- hour cargo clearance mandate given to the Nigerian Shippers’
Council and the Customs Service.
Bello said if the seaports operated round
the clock every day, and with efficient automated system, revenue leakages
would be plugged and the customs service would generate more revenue for
government.
the clock every day, and with efficient automated system, revenue leakages
would be plugged and the customs service would generate more revenue for
government.
The shippers’ council boss used the opportunity
to call on government to create conducive atmosphere for investment; to protect
the investments and guarantee investors’ profits.
to call on government to create conducive atmosphere for investment; to protect
the investments and guarantee investors’ profits.
On
his part, ACG Edike said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed
Ali(Rtd.) had concluded plans for the purchase of new scanners at the ports to
ensure better service delivery.
his part, ACG Edike said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed
Ali(Rtd.) had concluded plans for the purchase of new scanners at the ports to
ensure better service delivery.
He said that the customs was conscious
about the critical duty of the scanners and would be most pleased to set the
pace for efficient service to the trading public.
about the critical duty of the scanners and would be most pleased to set the
pace for efficient service to the trading public.
He gave his word that regarding the
complaints for urgency in attending to letters from the Council, the zonal
office would work with the headquarters to ensure prompt responses, even as he
encouraged more ‘personal touch’ to be applied.
complaints for urgency in attending to letters from the Council, the zonal
office would work with the headquarters to ensure prompt responses, even as he
encouraged more ‘personal touch’ to be applied.
Edike also said the customs would continue
in its support to ensure steady progress of the dry ports, as a way of
encouraging more cargo to Nigerian ports.
in its support to ensure steady progress of the dry ports, as a way of
encouraging more cargo to Nigerian ports.
Bello had earlier told the ACG that with a
lot of administrative issues needed to be discussed with all stakeholders
concerned as the Kaduna Dry Port could now operate as a port of destination and
origin.
lot of administrative issues needed to be discussed with all stakeholders
concerned as the Kaduna Dry Port could now operate as a port of destination and
origin.
He told the ACG that operators of the dry
port wanted to meet with the customs, and all other stakeholders, adding that
when fully operational, trucks would no longer come from the axis to congest
Apapa.
port wanted to meet with the customs, and all other stakeholders, adding that
when fully operational, trucks would no longer come from the axis to congest
Apapa.
The Executive Secretary looked forward to
more collaboration and training with the Nigeria Customs Service, for improved
port services.
more collaboration and training with the Nigeria Customs Service, for improved
port services.
