The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday inaugurated its Advance Ruling System to enhance trade facilitation, in Abuja.

It has also organised stakeholders` engagement to foster mutual understanding of its programmes and to facilitate the rollout of the system.

Speaking at the event, the Comptroller General (C-G) of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, said that the move was aimed at creating a more transparent and predictable business environment for its stakeholders.

Adeniyi described advanced ruling as a critical mechanism that allowed traders obtain binding decisions from customs administrations on the classification, origin, and valuation of goods before importation.

“This tool is essential for promoting trade facilitation, reducing compliance costs, and fostering a conducive business environment, “he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the joint sponsorship by the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation and the European Union-World Customs Organisations (EU-WCO) Rules of Origin (RoO) Africa Programme for NCS personnel training  in January, on advance ruling skills for rules of origin.

NAN also reports that both the World Customs Organisation and the World Trade Organisation have emphasised the significance of advance ruling in facilitating international trade and promoting customs compliance by aiding traders in making informed business decisions.

The C-G described the launch of the system as timely, aligning with the policy directive of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to facilitate ease of trade for legitimate traders.

“This is reflected in the Policy Advisory Document of the government, which highlights recent achievements, such as the approval to decongest the ports and make them free and accessible for importers and operators.

“Additionally, the recent inauguration of the Single Window steering committee by the President underscores high-level commitment to enhancing trade facilitation in Nigeria, “ he said.

He added that the implementation was also timely, particularly considering the significant number of disputes the service had to handle between 2020 and 2023.

According to him, out of the 34 disputes, 31 have been resolved, while three cases are still pending.

“Additionally, in spite of the absence of a structured mechanism, a total of 296 requests for Tariff opinions were received, with 266 processed and 30 pending.

“It is crucial to note that the absence of this mechanism has implications beyond Trade Facilitation, as it also impacts our revenue, “he said.

He said that the service would organise workshops and sensitisation sessions at its Area Commands to ensure the successful implementation and to ensure stakeholders` understanding for effective use.

The C-G said he had given approval for the development of a handbook to provide guidance to traders and customs officers, and also to ensure consistency and transparency in the service`s rulings.

He thanked the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) for supporting its commitment to facilitate ease of trade.

Earlier in his remarks, the Country Director of GIZ, Dr Markus Wagner, said that the advance ruling system was part of the Nigeria Energy Support Programme, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Represented by Duke Benjamin, the Cluster Coordinator for GIZ Nigeria Programmes on Just Transition and Inclusion, he said the knowledge provided by the advance ruling would facilitate improvement in investments in Nigeria.

He added this was due to the clarity it brought on trade processes.

The Minister of Steel Development, Mr Shuaib Abubakar, says Nigeria spends $8 billion to import steel into the country annually, saying it has become necessary for the Ajaokuta steel company to work.

The minister disclosed this during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him, the revival of Ajaokuta steel will cost money, and we have written a 10-year document for the revival. We will present the document to Mr President.

Abubakar said that it was in his own interest for Ajaokuta Steel to work, adding that he was from Kogi State and must push for such interest.

He said that the Federal Government paid $500 million dollars to terminate the concessional agreement with Ajaokuta, adding that the ministry was working very hard to find a solution for Ajaokuta Steel.

“It is a problem that has persisted for 45 years. We have gone to China to come and invest in the steel company, including setting up a new plant, and we have gone to seek financing.

He said that the challenges had changed as new technology had come up, and with innovation and discussion around it, but it had not been finalized.

“Funding is a big challenge to the ministry of steel development. The steel industry will be the bedrock of industrialization if we have proper funding.

“I am still at a stage where I need to find a solution for the Ajaokuta steel company.

On the $2 billion being requested to receive the Moribund steel company, the minister said it was just a preliminary calculation, adding that the figure might not be up to that.

According to him, this is an estimate that may not be accurate at the last decimal point. It is just a process that will allow us to arrive at the right destination.

“The president has asked me to find a solution to Ajaokuta, so the figure will change pending the outcome of the technical audit.

“It’s clear to Nigeria that for this to happen, we need funding and all the help we can get from the two chambers; this is why we need it. I need all your support to make this a reality.”

Rep. Zainab Gimba, the Chairman of the House Committee on Steel Development, urged the ministry to provide it with all the procurement processes and other responses demanded by the committee.

The committee said that Ajaokuta had remained a nightmare to many, adding that now that the minister had accepted to supervise it, Nigeria expected more from him.

Rep. Ayodeji Alao-Akala (APC-Oyo) has submitted a petition before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition, demanding justice over alleged police killing of Iyanda Damilola, a serving NYSC member.

The lawmaker, while laying the petition in Abuja on Thursday, explained that it was written by one of his constituents, Iyanda Israel, the deceased brother.

Damilola was allegedly murdered during a convocation ceremony of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The petitioner in the petition dated 26th April, 2024, insisted that neither himself, his late brother nor any of his invited guests were cultists as alleged by the police.

According to the lawmaker, the petitioner had his convocation ceremony at LAUTECH, and invited his brother, who was a serving corps member in Ibadan, and other friends to celebrate with him.

“But that in the course of the event, there was a fight which got attention of the police, who in attempts to restore normalcy fire shots, one of which brought the late Damilola down.

He said the petitioner was also hit by a stray bullet on his left arm, and currently at the hospital receiving treatment.

The lawmaker called on the House to expedite action to ensure that the officers that allegedly killed the deceased, officer Saheed, officer Olofe, and others face the full wrath of the law.

He also requested that the entire monitoring force in Ogbomoso be investigated for bullying and harassing students