Customs
Tinubu lauds Customs’ contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth
– as the service meets N4.07 trillion 2024 revenue target in 11 months.
Funso OLOJO
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Nigeria Customs Service to the nation’s overall economic growth, lauding the service’s capacity to realign with his administration’s transformative agenda.
Expressing his admiration and commitment to enhancing the service’s efficiency, Tinubu said Customs’ performance represents a laudable example of how government agencies must align their functions and programmes with the federal government’s overall vision.
Declaring open the 2024 CGC conference in Abuja on November 13th, 2024, the President, represented by his Chief Security officer(CSO), Nuhu Ribadu, gave a pat on the back of the service for its modernisation programme, trade facilitation, enforcement of compliance by traders and improved revenue generation.
“Agencies needed to demonstrate initiative in identifying opportunities within their mandates that would best serve and advance our national aspirations.
“I am pleased to note that the Nigeria Customs Service is one of the agencies that has risen to this expectation, demonstrating how government institutions can effectively contribute to our economic transformation agenda while fulfilling their core mandates.
“This alignment is clearly demonstrated in the Service’s comprehensive modernization agenda.
” In responding to our administration’s call for enhanced trade facilitation and economic growth, the Service has introduced significant reforms including the Advanced Ruling system and the Authorised Economic Operator Program.
” These initiatives, which align with global best practices, show how agencies can innovatively implement solutions that advance our national economic objectives while meeting international standards.
“Such reforms not only enhance trade facilitation but also create a more predictable business environment that supports our broader economic goals.
“The results of these initiatives across the Service’s core mandates have been encouraging. The Nigeria Customs Service has shown remarkable progress in revenue generation, enhancing government’s capacity to fund critical national development projects.
” Through strategic reforms, the Service is strengthening Nigeria’s position as a trade-friendly nation, particularly in the areas of export promotion and port efficiency.
“This has contributed significantly to our improved global ranking in the ease of doing business. The Service has also demonstrated that effective trade facilitation can coexist with strong regulatory compliance, as evidenced by its enhanced border security and anti-smuggling operations.
” These achievements affirm our administration’s belief that public institutions, when properly aligned with national objectives, can effectively drive transformative change” President Tinubu noted.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service has generated the princely sum of N5.079 trillion about six weeks before the end of 2024.
This revenue performance meets its 2024 revenue target of N5.07 trillion with a high probability of surpassing the target by the end of the year.
An elated Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who announced this feat to his august guests at the 2024 CGC conference in Abuja, exuded confidence that the service will brush aside the 2024 revenue target by at least 10 percent at the close of the year.
While delivering his welcome address at this year’s conference with the theme “NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE: ENGAGING TRADITIONAL AND NEW PARTNERS WITH PURPOSE” Adeniyi attributed this rare feat to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the stakeholders, synergy with relevant government agencies and the commitment of his men and officers.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that yesterday(Tuesday )12 November 2024, at exactly 13:10 Hrs, the Nigeria Customs Service hit its 2024 revenue target of NGN 5.07 trillion, collecting NGN 5,079,455,088,194.38 with more than a month remaining in the fiscal year.
“This exceptional performance – projected to exceed our target by 10% – validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation.
” The achievement is not merely about numbers; it demonstrates how enhanced stakeholder collaboration, improved processes, and modernized systems can deliver tangible results for our nation’s economy” he noted.
He took his audience through the audacious transformative programmes of his administration which have helped to transform and reposition the service.
Apart from revenue generation, Adeniyi disclosed that the service recorded N28.1 billion worth of seizures of illicit goods during the period under review.
The CGC also disclosed that the deployment of new trade facilitation tools such as the Advance Ruling system and Authorized Economic Operators(AEO) have combined to help facilitate trade within the stringent enforcement of compliance environment.
“The momentum of our modernization initiatives continues to build, yielding immediate benefits for our stakeholders.
“With your support and collaboration, we have successfully implemented several key reforms. Our Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) scheme now has six beneficiaries in its pilot phase, carefully selected based on stringent compliance criteria.
“The Advanced Ruling system has processed 31 requests, with 12 rulings issued -notably, 75% of these were completed in October following our stakeholder sensitization efforts.
“Additionally, the introduction of 24-hour cargo clearance at major ports has significantly reduced dwell time; the completion of Nigeria’s first Time Release Study now provides us with empirical data to measure and improve our efficiency; our enhanced risk management systems are streamlining operations; and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection equipment is accelerating cargo examination while maintaining robust controls.
“In fulfilling our enforcement mandate, we have achieved unprecedented success in protecting both our citizens and economy. The scale of our intervention is reflected in seizures valued at NGN 28.1 billion and counting in 2024 alone.
” These seizures span critical areas of national concern – from wildlife items and arms and ammunition to narcotics and pharmaceutical products.
“An important moment in our enforcement strategy was the declaration of a state of emergency at our major ports, which led to the interception of 48 containers of illicit pharmaceutical items and narcotics, significantly disrupting the flow of potentially harmful products.
” Through strategic operations, we continue to intercept and seize prohibited items that pose direct threats to public health and safety.
” Our enforcement activities have been particularly impactful in addressing items that could worsen our current economic challenges.
“A standout example is Operation Whirlwind, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
“This joint initiative to combat petroleum product smuggling demonstrates how inter-agency cooperation can effectively protect our national resources and economic stability.
” The success of these operations underscores a crucial lesson: when agencies work together with a shared purpose, we multiply our effectiveness in safeguarding national interests” the CGC declared.
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Customs
Customs, WCO train officers in technology- driven border security
Funso OLOJO
In a bid to strengthen border security through innovative data-driven approaches, the World Customs Organization – Organisation Mondiale des Douanes (WCO), in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), concluded a five-day workshop on Friday, 6 December 2024, tagged “n-Ceen.”
The training, held at the Project Management Office of Trade Modernisation Project Office situated in the Service’s Management Quarters in Abuja, was aimed at equipping officers with skills in data gathering and analysis to enhance national security and enforcement operations.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, DCG Kikelomo Adeola, highlighted the strategic importance of the training in achieving the Service’s objectives.
According to her, “This training, organised in collaboration with the WCO, underscores the Comptroller-General of Customs’ commitment to secure our nation’s borders.
” No man is an island; we cannot achieve this in isolation. Collaboration, particularly with skilled personnel, is essential.”
DCG Adeola explained that the workshop provided officers with cutting-edge tools to protect lives and properties and also to proactively deploy interventions where most needed.
She also stated that the training will reduce risks, including mob actions against customs personnel.
The training was meticulously planned, with participants selected from various zones and units, including enforcement, intelligence, ICT, and investigations, to ensure continuity and the dissemination of expertise.
Jean Bigirimana, a WCO facilitator from Burundi, praised the NCS for embracing technology as a critical component of border security, explaining that, “the n-Ceen tool is designed to assist member countries in gathering intelligence and making informed decisions.”
“The n-Ceen application enables Customs administrations to collect and harmonise data, which can then be used to target high-risk cases effectively.
” During this workshop, we trained participants on the features and functionalities of n-Ceen, empowering them to apply this knowledge in their respective domains.” Bigirimana said.
Customs
From Cabin to the Cockpit
Customs
B’Odogwu, home-made customs trading platform, gains momentum at PTML
–— as more banks embrace local ICT platform
— PTML customs reaps revenue windfall
Funso OLOJO
B’Odogwu, an indigenous customs trading platform currently being test run at the Ports Terminal Multi services Limited(PTML) command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has gained a momentum in the command as more operators are embracing the new trading platform.
Already,17 banks have indicated their interests to sign on the platform to join the existing five banks currently hooked up to the trading platform.
In addition, the PTML Customs command has started to reap revenue windfall triggered by the new trading platform as it generated N44.9 billion in November, the highest monthly revenue ever generated in the history of the command.
An elated Area controller of the command, Comptroller Tenny Daniyan, said B’Odogwu trading platform has come to stay in the Command.
As a pilot command for the operation of the indigenous platform, Comptroller Daniyan advised stakeholders to embrace and rally round the new ICT platform as their own, adding that the command has parted ways with the old Customs platform NICIS11.
The Area Controller also debunked information alleging that four vessels have been unattended to at the PTML berth due to B’Odogwu failure is untrue.
He disclosed that the command met with some of the stakeholders earlier in the week where all issues bordering on the challenges experienced by agents were addressed and they were advised to engage the implementation team for further assistance
He added that to facilitate trade, the command has bent backwards by applying manual methods to process cargoes and has established interface with the terminal operator to accommodate port users that have made entries on the platform.
The Controller said most agents claiming inability to capture have not registered on the platform and urged them to come forward for capture to address any challenge.
The CAC said “B’Odogwu is a Nigerian baby that should be fed by Nigerians .
” We are weaning our baby from a foreign mother and I urge all Nigerians to support it.
“We are not going back to NICIS II. The use of NICIS II platform has come to an end in PTML as this is the position of the Service.
” We are aware that some of our agents are yet to be fully acquainted with the additional requirements that were not involved in NICIS II.
“As the problems come up, we are solving them.
“Note that the management has dispatched an implementation team here to ensure our stakeholders don’t suffer.
” We were disconnected from NICIS II three months ago and we have fully commenced implementation to grow our own teeth and serve the country better. We have left NICIS here in PTML.
“We are committed to get it right here before moving to Tin Can and other ports.
“Our turn around time for properly declared RoRo cargo is still two hours but this is dependent on compliance by the declarant.
“As a command, we will not sacrifice national security and revenue on the altar of trade facilitation.
” So far in November,292 bills of laden have been captured in November, 375 are yet to capture.
“As at today, Wednesday over 98 people have paid their duties under B’Odogwu platform as more banks are coming on board” he said
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