Customs

Apapa Customs contributes 40 percent of N5. 07 trillion revenue of NCS as it hits N2 trillion in 11 months.

Funso OLOJO

The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service has consolidated its blistering run in revenue generation as it has so far collected the sum of N2.01 trillion as at November 19th, 2024.

Making this disclosure Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 during his address to the officers on parade ground, the Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu said the command was firing on all cylinders in order to meet the 2024 revenue target of N2.2 trillion before December.

Comptroller Olomu said the command is drawing inspiration from the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who announced the total collection of N5.07tr by the service on Tuesday at the just concluded CGC Conference in Abuja.

According to him, Apapa Port Command plays a critical role in the overall performance of the service nationwide.

He said the command contributed 40% (forty percent)of the N5.07tr total target of the service that has been met so far, which underscores the high expectations and responsibility on the command.

The Controller urged officers to align with the outstanding examples set by CGC Adeniyi in revenue collection, trade facilitation, uncompromising enforcement and sustained stakeholder engagement in the service and national interest.

He charged the officers to keep the trajectory of good revenue and enforcement records sustained and ensure that seizures made from smugglers should be backed with suspects for prosecution.

He added that arresting smugglers with their wares would cause greater impact in the fight against smuggling.

Comptroller Olomu used the opportunity of the parade to update the officers on important highlights from the CGC Conference.

He urged them to imbibe the spirit and letter of the theme, which was “Engaging Traditional and New Partners With Purpose”.

He said the NCS 2024 CGC Conference theme aligns with that of the World Customs Organisation which seeks to leverage achievable gains from cordial relationships across organisations and individuals to achieve customs goals

He listed some outcomes from the conference which include sustenance of diligent import and export cargo examination with the deployment of hundred percent physical examination where necessary; granting of access to enforcement unit officers to view the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) platform; and avoidance of Indiscriminate intervention alerts which makes service personnel appear to be working at cross purposes.

According to CAC Olomu,NCS is one and should operate and be seen as one.

Other fallouts from the CGC Conference announced by the Area Controller are the banning of commercial activities within customs formations and premises.

He listed such activities like the engagement of Point of Sales (PoS) operators around customs offices, and involvement of customs officers in clearing jobs, that is doubling as licensed agents, which conflict with their official mandates

Other messages cascaded from the 2024 CGC Conference announced by Comptroller Olomu are compulsory and routine medical checks for all officers; instituting rewards and honouring outstanding officers for their productivity; development of inter zonal games being put together by the service Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) ; fully automation of transire by first quarter of 2025 and the expansion of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and Advance Ruling(AR) scheme

Comptroller Olomu also announced that the command is planning an award night for deserving officers and stakeholders that have contributed to it’s success in 2024.

He also gave plaques of award to some units and individuals for excellent discharge of their functions.

The Compliance Unit was honoured for the recovery of over N2b in the last three months.

Efforts of the Revenue Recovery Unit that also prevented the loss of N3b within the last three months was also recognised

Assistant Comptroller M. Samad received an award from the CAC for due diligence and regular detection of under valuation

The Controller also honoured Inspector of Customs, Adamu Bashir as best dressed and punctual officer.

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

— the inspiring transformational story of DSC Balogun, the first female pilot in Nigeria Customs

Funso OLOJO

The remarkable transformation of Deputy Superintendent of Customs (Pilot) Olanike Nafisat Balogun from being a crew member to becoming a full fledged pilot in the air wing of the Nigeria Customs Service is an inspiring one.

DSC Balogun is a study in doggedness, determination, perseverance, resilience and commitment.

Balogun has thus make history as the first female pilot in the Nigeria Customs Service.

Born in Kaduna and a native of Odo-Otin Local Government Area, Osun State, Balogun’s journey began in 2002 when she was recruited as a Customs Assistant to serve as a cabin crew member in the Service’s Airwing Unit.

Speaking in a recent interview, DSC Balogun reflected on her journey, sharing how her unwavering ambition and the Service’s support enabled her transformation from a flight attendant to a licensed pilot.

“Staying in the Service when many of my colleagues opted for better-paying airline jobs was a tough decision, but I was determined to contribute to public service and achieve my dream of becoming a pilot,” she said.

Balogun’s career milestones include earning an Advanced Diploma in Air Ticketing and Cabin Services, a Master’s in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, and eventually securing her Pilot Certification from the Flying Academy in Miami, Florida, with the NCS sponsoring her training.

DSC Balogun asserted that being the first female pilot in the NCS Air wing is credited to inspiring women within and beyond the Service never to relent in pursuing their dreams.

“My role as the first female pilot in the service reflects my commitment as a woman to advancing my passionate dream as well as the operational capabilities of the NCS” she added.

As she continues to fly for the NCS, Balogun remains passionate about inspiring others, stating, “I hope my journey motivates young Nigerians, especially women, to chase their dreams and break through barriers.”

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, in a statement commended her dedication and described her achievement as a testament to the Service’s commitment to capacity building and innovation.

“Her story exemplifies what is possible with determination and institutional support,” Adeniyi said.

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