Customs to launch time release study to facilitate ease of border trade
…As Oyetola, Jamoh call for collaboration
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disclosed that it will be launching a time release study in February.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi at the International Customs Day Celebration in Lagos made this known to journalists.
According to the Customs CG, the time release study is a comprehensive exercise aimed at optimising our processes and reducing the time it takes for goods to be released in our ports and border stations.
“This study is a scientific and strategic move towards enhancing our operations and I call upon the cooperation of all our partners, particularly those of you already organized under the framework of the National Trade Facilitation Committee, to actively participate in this endeavor,” he explained.
Adeniyi also noted that choosing the theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Customs, Engaging Traditional and New Partners with a Purpose,’ aligns with the service core objectives, as outlined in the three-point agenda of consolidation, innovation, and collaboration.
According to him, the agenda has been the guiding principle,”Providing a framework for our actions over the past seven months, steering our customs activities under my administration.”
He expressed the NCS’s commitment to fostering substantially improved relationships with compliant stakeholders in the new year.
He said, “This year, we commit to fostering a substantially improved relationship with all of you, our stakeholders, especially those who respect our rules. We recognize that authentic partnerships are constructed on mutual respect and understanding.”
“Those who remain compliant and abide by the rules can anticipate a more streamlined and supportive collaboration.”ÿþ
Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola who led a delegation from the Ministry, including the DG NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh and MD NPA Bello Koko to the International Customs Day Celebration in Lagos restated his commitment to collaboration and the DG NIMASA, Dr Jamoh, re-echoed the Minister’s position on collaboration.
“In this era of increased interdependence, Customs and its stakeholders must work hand in hand to ensure the overall success of initiatives that will help unlock the immense potential of collaboration and increase revenue generation,” he stressed.
He commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service for streamlining its cargo clearance process.
“At this juncture, let me commend the leadership of customs for agreeing to abandon the physical examination of cargoes at our ports and prioritising the use of scanners. This development would not only increase revenue, but it will ensure ports efficiency and competitiveness. And it will drastically reduce the cargo turnaround time,” he stated.
The Minister assured of his ministry’s support for collaborative engagements with stakeholders in the international trade community, aiming for a more sustainable use of Ocean and Coastal Resources for Economic Growth.
According to the NIMASA DG, “The Nigerian Customs Service deserves to be commended for being steadfast in countering smuggling activities, all in a quest to encourage the use of Nigerian Ports and shore up accruable revenue to the Federal Government .
“More will be achieved if we increase the level of collaboration and cooperation. We can barely make progress without interagency collaboration, particularly in the maritime sector. Complementing each other’s activity will surely increase the Nigerian Port Efficiency and ultimately lead to the development of the Nigerian economy particularly the maritime industry.” ý
The event also witnessed special recognition of internal and external stakeholders through awards made by the World Customs Organization Headquarters.
Notable among recipients is the Public Relations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Caretaker group of the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN) for rendering exceptional service to the International Customs Community, as well as officers and men of the service, who have, through their works and commitments, exemplified the spirit of collaboration and unity.
