Customs

CTN as panacea for insecurity, importation of contraband goods through ports.

Since the collapse of scanners at the nation’s seaports and land borders, the Nigeria Customs Service has been using manual method(100 percent examination) to inspect cargoes but experts believe that re-introduction of CTN at the ports would minimise the high incidence of insecurity through curbing of importation of arms and ammunitions through our ports into the country.

Eyewitness reporter writes

In 2015, the Nigerian Shippers Council was desirous to re-introduce the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) into the nation’s maritime industry.

But this was met with stiff opposition especially from local Manufacturers who thought it will add to cost of doing business at the ports.

But, the Council at that time was interested in the overall national security and safety of Nigerians because it is believed that the CTN will help check importation of arms, ammunition and hazardous materials into the country.

Two years after the council bowed to pressure and suspended the laudable projects, arms and ammunitions were being imported freely into the country but few are being intercepted in and outside the nation’s seaports, a situation the council want to avert through the CTN but was thwarted by stakeholders.

For instance, in January 2017, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 49 boxes containing 661 pieces of pump action rifles.

The ammunitions were intercepted by officers of the federal operations unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, in a Mark truck with registration number BUG 265 XG, the 40 feet container with number; PONU/825914/3 along Mile 2 Apapa Road, in Lagos.

Thee boxes were concealed with steel and other merchandise goods.

Also in May, 2017, another 440 pump action rifles were intercepted at the Tin Can Island Command, Lagos.

According to the then Zonal Co-ordinator of the Zone, Monday Abue, the cargo was shipped into the country from Turkey and concealed in POP.

On the 7th of September, 2017 another 1,100 rifles were further intercepted in a 20ft container with No GESU2555208 during examination, while the Bill of Lading falsely indicated wash hand basins and water closets.

A week after, another container with about 475 pump action rifles with container number, CMAU189817/8 carrie about 475 pump action rifles.

However, 2018 was not spared as the Customs Service intercepted live ammunitions at the Tin-Can island port.

The Tin-Can Island Command of the service said the live ammunitions were concealed in a vehicle and container at the Lagos Port.

It was gathered that the interception were done in two different operations on the 9th and 10th of July respectively.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the command, Uche Ejiesieme , the first incident at the Terminal ‘C’, involved 1 x 40ft container No. TGHU 60143419, which on scheduled examination was found to contain 150 rounds of live ammunition and jack knives while 149 rounds of 38mm calibre live ammunition, 92 rounds of 9mm calibre live ammunition, 2 rounds Of 7.62MM calibre live ammunition, 11 cartridges of live ammunition,12 expenses empty shells of various calibre and one empty magazine were uncovered in another vehicle.”

This is part of the few interceptions that were made by the service while many more may have eluded the eagle eye of the customs service.

But, stakeholders have argued that the CTN, if it had been implemented in 2015 ,would have detected the contrabands before it was loaded on vessels to Nigeria.

Even, the Central Bank of Nigeria agreed that the CTN would not only checkmate under declaration and share trade information but will also assist the Nigeria Customs Service to risk mitigation on imports, enhance and block revenue leakages at the ports.

Speaking, a frontline Importer, Ikechukwu Shedrack ,said the CTN would serve as a security measure to ensure safety and security of goods shipped from one part of the world to another.

“It is meant to be implemented worldwide. The regulation requires shippers to have a Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) accompanying all shipments.

“The CTN will help enhance security at a time Nigerian government is have difficulties in replacing obsolete scanners at the ports. It will give information of cargoes to be imported even before loading and it will help know what should be imported and what not to be imported into the country, especially if it were to be arms and ammunitions it will be intercepted at point of loading”

“Aside under declaration, the CTN will also bring trade information.

Research had also shown that the CTN, when reintroduced, is different from the old ways of monitoring cargoes as it has four distinct features from the previous tracking device.

It is noteworthy that, as can be seen from the agreement, four important features distinguish the current ICTN Scheme from the abolished version.

That is, the current scheme will be implemented at no cost to the shipper/consignee, at all and the current scheme is web based and therefore paperless,thus making the delay associated with obtaining Cargo Tracking Note and associated documentation by Shippers, under the abolished version of the scheme completely eliminated as the shipper needs not do anything apart from declaring in advance (i.e. at the loading port), information relating to the cargo.

Also, the one hundred and fifty dollars ($150) per container CTN fee charged under the abolished version, paid by the shippers, which led to the stakeholders vehement protest against the scheme and its eventual abolishment, was radically modified and reduced to a token administrative fee of twenty five dollars ($25) per container, thereby making it the lowest in our West and Central African Sub-region.

This became necessary not only in view of Nigeria’s volume of trade but also to substantially downplay the insinuated revenue generation motive of the old version of the scheme in favour of the actual and more important Trader Information Generation motive which has tremendous potential to impact positively on the nation’s effort in Trade Facilitation, National Planning and National Security;

The NSC-TPMS Sharing Ration of the collectible Administrative fee was negotiated and reviewed from 60-40, under the abolished scheme, to 65-35 thereby raising the share accruable to the government.

Also, all vessels loading and unloading or in transit (Export/Import and Transit) departing from Nigeria Ports or having Nigerian Ports as final destination or transiting through Nigerian ports shall, before any movement, obtain a Movement Reference Number (MRN).

The MRN will be allocated to the vessels by Nigerian Shippers’ Council irrespective of the origin of the vessel of cargoes.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr. Hassan Bello had then disclosed that the CTN would be reintroduced to help curb importation of arms and ammunition into the country.

He said, “The Cargo Tracking Note would soon be reintroduced at a very negligible cost. CTN is a security thing because when we have it, there won’t be smuggling of firearms and all other contrabands.

” Smuggling of contraband won’t happen because everything coming in will be tracked, we will know the weight of the cargo, values and materials used.”

Bello stated further that the CTN would also help the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to fight substandard products and fake drugs respectively.

“SON and NAFDAC will benefit by knowing whether products being imported are fake or not.

“I am calling on all the port stakeholders such as manufacturers, shippers and the rest to support this. That is why the Nigerian Shippers Council wants to develop the port community system because what the port needs is unity.

” There is need for everyone to come together on a platform to know what the other is doing. It is good for data collection for planning and for you to know your customers,” said Bello.

But the desire of the Shippers’Council to reintroduce the controvesial CTN was not to be at that period as it was again aborted as stakeholders effectively shut down the move despite the efforts of the council to convince them.

But the country may once again have a shot at the CTN few years after it was shot down by the sceptical stakeholders.

Following the resurgence of insecurity in the country which has assumed a verocious dimension, the Federal government has asked the Nigerian Shippers’Council to resuscitate the move to reintroduce the controvesial CTN to track all imports in order to identify and curtail importation of arms and ammunitions into the country through the ports.

Customs

Dog eats dog as Customs officer shoots colleague at border

SC Muhammad Sayyadi, the victim officer

The eyewitness reporter

A Customs officer, wielding a gun at the checkpoint in Garki local government in Jigawa state, had inadvertently opened fire on his colleague.

The incident, which happened at the weekend, sent a shock wave throughout the customs service as the victim was a Jigawa prince who is serving at the Lagos command of the service.

It was gathered that the culprit, who was among the personnel at the checkpoint, had opened fire on a vehicle coming from the neighboring Niger Republic but whose driver refused to stop when he was flagged down.

Upon inquiry to identify the occupants of the vehicle, it was discovered that the driver of the vehicle who was shot was a Customs officer, SC Muhammad Sayyadi, serving at the Lagos State Command.

He is said to be the son of one of the five first-class emirs in Jigawa, the Emir of Ringim, HRH Dr. Sayyadi Abubakar Mahmud.

The spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service Kano/Jigawa Area Command, SC Nura Saidu, confirmed the incident in a statement.

“Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragic event, and we extend our deepest empathy to the family and friends of the victim,” he said.

Saidu said the command is investigating to determine the causes of the incident.

“As a Service, we equally assure you that the management will fully investigate the incident to determine the causes and circumstances.

“Our top priority is the well-being and safety of the victim and the larger community at this difficult time.
“We would like to remind everyone that the Service rests utmost importance on responsible firearm handling.

“Accidental shootings are preventable tragedies, as all officers are consciously trained to secure and only use their firearms in (an) appropriate and controlled environment.

“We will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available,” Mr Sa’idu said.

It was gathered that other victims in the vehicle were admitted at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, and are responding to treatment.

Customs

Zainab Ahmed, Finance minister, lists achievements as chairman of Customs Board

Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance and Chairman, Customs board

—–as Customs board confirms appointment of Malanta Yusuf and 14 others as ACGs, 5 DCGs

The eyewitness reporter

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) during its 57th regular meeting chaired by the Honorable Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed has confirmed the appointment of five (5) Deputy Comptroller Generals (DCGs) and fifteen (15) Assistant Comptroller Generals (ACGs).

Among the appointment confirmed was Malanta Ibrahim Yusuf, as ACG Training and Coordination.

The meeting of the board, which confirmed the appointment, was held on Thursday 4th May 2023 at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Abuja.

The details of the confirmation are as follows:

Deputy Comptroller Generals

M ABBA-KURA DCG Enforcement Inspection & Investigation, AG SAIDU DCG Human Resource Development

JP AJOKU DCG Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives, BA ADENIYI DCG Strategic Research and Policy, GA ITOTOH DCG/Commander Training and Doctrine Command

The Assistant Comptroller Generals include O PETERS ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘C’, AI ALFA ACG Strategic Research and Policy

HJ SWOMEN ACG Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives, KC EGWUH ACG Doctrine Development and Administration Command, MBA MUSA ACG Tariff and Trade

A DAPPA-WILLIAMS ACG Enforcement Inspection & Investigation, BM JIBO ACG Headquarters,A HAMISU ACG/Commandant Nigeria Customs Command & Staff College, Y SALIHU ACG Finance & Admin

MI YUSUF ACG Training and Coordination, SA BOMAI ACG Board

CK NIAGWAN ACG Technical Services, KI ADEOLA ACG ICT/Modernization

IO BABALOLA ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘D’, BU NWAFOR ACG Human Resource Development

The Honorable Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning expressed delight at the outcome of her stewardship of the Nigeria Customs Service Board.

“It has been a very interesting and educative experience for me as the Chairperson of the Nigeria Customs Service Board.

“We have seen significant improvement in the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service during this process.

“We had cause to get several approvals for the Service including enhancement of the remuneration of the staff, and improvement in terms of cost of collections for the Nigeria Customs Service.

“We have also been able to complete the process toward the realization of the rollout of the Trade Modernization Project.

“These are all fundamental building blocks that are going to work positively towards enhancing and modernizing the whole of the Nigeria Customs Service in line with the requirements of the World Customs Organization and other protocols that Nigeria is committed to.”

Addressing the future generation of Customs Officers, the NCSB Chairperson emphasized the engagement of young officers, including women in the Service.

In a related development, the board has also approved the implementation of a Competency-Based Accelerated Career Progression Plan (CBACPP).

The plan is a proactive strategy designed to close the generational gap that could lead to a leadership vacuum in the higher hierarchies of the Nigeria Customs Service if not addressed.

The Board also expressed pleasure over the recent enactment of the new Customs Act into law.

To facilitate a seamless transition, the Board has made plans to organize a retreat for the Board Members and expand the Management of NCS.

Following the retreat, a stakeholder education and engagement forum will be launched to inform the public about the provision of the new Act and the corresponding compliance requirement.

The aim is to ensure clarity and understanding among stakeholders, enabling them to adapt to the new regulations effectively.

Also, the effective date for the full implementation of the New Act is a priority that will be addressed in due course.

Meanwhile, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) CFR congratulates the newly appointed Officers and charged them to work diligently for a better and prosperous Service.

He emphasized the importance of their roles in achieving the Service’s core functions of revenue collection, suppression of smuggling, and trade facilitation.

Customs

Exclusive! KLT capacity is underutilised by 80 per cent through low cargo volume—-Bomodi

Cmptroller Timi Bomodi

The Eyewitness reporter

The new Customs Area Comptroller of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal(KLT), Comptroller Timi Bomodi, has identified gross under-utilization of the command as one of its core challenges that his administration is tirelessly working to correct.

Bomodi, who resumed duties in the off-dock facility as its CAC in February 2023, said the terminal has an installed capacity for over 6000 20-footer equivalent units but currently doing less than 10 percent.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with our reporter in his office Wednesday, Bomodi lamented that despite the strategic position of the terminal for ease of cargo evacuation, poor communication of its benefits to importers and their agents has rubbed the facility off the required patronage from would-be customers.

He also identified apathy among the shipping companies to use the terminal despite its inherent advantages of speed and cost-effectiveness, a situation he blamed on the low cargo inflow to the terminal.

” Kirikirio Lighter terminal is mainly an off-dock facility. It doesn’t receive vessels directly, nor does it receive cargo through transfer from other ports. Occasionally, we get transfers by Lighters through one of our bonded warehouses.

”The major challenge we have here is a challenge of traffic, getting more cargo into the terminal.

”The total capacity of the command is over 6000 20-footer equivalent units. But right now, we are not even doing up to 10 percent of that. And when you have facilities that are vast but underutilized, then it is an issue.

”I feel there is poor communication of the strategic importance of the KLT

”A lot of importers and their agents don’t know that it is easier to import through KLT than most other ports.

”It is easier in the sense that after all Customs procedures, which are the same at all Customs Commands, it is easier for trucks to come into the command and take the goods out, which is not so with most ports in Lagos due to the chaotic transport situation and the queueing system.

”You have an electronic call-up system in the other two major ports and that creates a lot of time lag before your trucks come in and you take your goods out. We don’t have those challenges here and because of that, we believe importers will be better served in a place like KLT because of the short time it takes to get your goods out” disclosed Bomodi.

He lamented that despite these inherent advantages, the command is experiencing a low volume of cargo. This according to him leads to underutilization of the terminal and underperformance of the officers whom he said are well-trained, equipped and properly motivated.

”The officers we have here are just like other officers we have in other commands: well-trained, well equipped and highly motivated to work but grossly underutilized. So as far as Customs procedure goes, we are just like any other conventional port.

”The only thing we don’t have here is a scanning machine. Everything is done manually, physical examination. But that is not an impediment to the facilitation of trade because as I said, we have the space, equipment and well-motivated officers to make the examination process fast and seamless.”, the CAC claimed.

He also claimed that the command has a well robust export terminal which is now operational and connected to the Customs server.

”We also have an advantage for exports. As I mentioned earlier, it is easier for people to come into the terminal and take out their cargo because, in this command, traffic is not so bad on this axis compared to others. So if somebody wants to export his goods through the command, it is a lot easier to do so.

”Right now, we have an export terminal called Tesic that is now operational and connected to the Customs server. This export terminal has the space, they have the capacity to process large volumes of exports through the command.

So there are so many advantages that you get from using this place and we want a lot of people to know about it so that we can have an increase in traffic.

Bomodi however said it is not in his place as a Customs officer to woo importers to the command as his main job is to facilitate customs processes.

”It is not in my place to woo anybody. As a Customs officer, my primary responsibility is to attend to the business of Customs in this Command.

”We only highlight the challenges such as the underutilization of the critical assets in the command because we know we can do a lot more than we are presently doing.

”And that the importers and their agents need to be aware of the advantage of doing business in the command and that they need to know that they will save cost and time by using the command.

”The longer it takes to take goods out of the port, the more expensive it is because of the charges such delays will accrue on the goods from the shipping companies and terminal operators”

Bomodi thumbed his chest that it takes a maximum of 48 hours to exit goods outside the terminal after all customs processes have been completed without any issue.

”In KLT, the significant amount of such extra costs can be eliminated because it only takes a maximum of 48 hours to clear your goods from the command if there are no issues.

He, however, believed that the decision to move cargo from one point to the other is not necessarily that of the command, but that of shipping companies.

”The shipping companies, by virtue of their work processes, value time and want a quick turnaround of the vessels and return of their containers. So all these factors will be taken into consideration before they ship cargo into any port.

”Then you wonder why the shipping companies are not taking maximum advantage of a place like KLT because ordinarily, they should. It makes more sense for them to do so.

”Why are they not making use of the command? Well, that is the question you should ask them because I don’t know.

”We have quite a few shipping companies servicing this place such as MSC, Maesrsk and others and you know a good number of them come in by transire and they do this in trickles. If we can get them to do a lot more, then everybody will benefit from it.”

”Shipping companies make their money from the hiring of their boxes, containers are like buildings. They make more money from the high turnover of how the containers are rented out to more people rather than tying them for a longer period with few customers.

”The business process of these shipping companies encourages the use of such places like KLT but I don’t know why they are not using it and that is what you have to ask them”Bomodi bemoaned.

He however acknowledged the negative impact of the low traffic volume on the revenue profile of the command

”Of course, it does. The fewer the cargo, the less revenue we are likely to generate. But this does not mean we are not working tirelessly to block all revenue loopholes.

”Our poor revenue generation is a reflection of the low level of cargo at the command and that is what we have to deal with.

Bomodi disclosed that the command has a revenue target of N60 billion for the year 2023 but was hopeful of meeting the projection despite the daunting challenges confronting the KLT.

”We do believe that as the traffic improves, so also our revenue will scale up.

”Our revenue target for this year is about a billion. We can only be optimistic about meeting the target in the face of the daunting challenges I have just enumerated.

”We can’t afford not to be optimistic. We do hope and pray that things will change for the better because the year so far has been very turbulent in terms of trade, especially between January to this period, a lot of things have taken place which have affected cargo volume in particular and the economy in general and our operations cannot be separated from these economic challenges in the country.

”Hopefully, by the time the new administration is sworn in and there is stability in the system, this will likely lead to an upsurge in the economic activities in the county which will in turn positively affect our operations, Bomodi enthused.