Wednesday, 31 July 2024

Customs Commits to Leveraging on Technology to Fortify National Borders, Facilitate Trade

Customs Commits to Leveraging on Technology to Fortify National Borders, Facilitate Trade
...As CGC Adeniyi Declares NCS' Commitment to Partner with Defence Research and Development Bureau

By: Bisi Akingbade 

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, on declared its intentions to strengthen its partnership with the Defence Research and Development Bureau, DRDB, and intensify the formidable security presence at borderlines across the federation.

This was made known by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at his office when he received the delegation of the Bureau, led by the Director-General of DRDB, Major General Emmanuel Ndagi, who was at the Service's Headquarters to seek the CGC's partnership on delicate matters relating to national security. 

Continuing his speech, CGC Adeniyi expressed the readiness of the NCS to partner with the Bureau to sustain the Service's commitment to leveraging technological advancements in its operations, which, according to him, will result in achieving economic growth.

However, the Comptroller-General of Customs said, "I see a lot of possibilities that will continue to evolve between the Nigeria Customs Service and DRDB in the area of technology because we live in the age of technology now."

He added, "We believe that any organisation that ignores research and developments might be digging its own grave because, for us, the Nigeria Customs Service, the rapid change and dynamic nature of our environment presupposes the need for us to engage in technological development programmes constantly."

"One of the immediate things suggested for us was using geospatial intelligence to combat the scourge of border crimes. We have also set up a structure devoted to our special intelligence. Beyond that, we have a Command and Staff College, where we engage our students in periodic research and operations."

While speaking, the Director-General DRDB, Major General Emmanuel Ndagi, said their visit to the Customs House was to acquaint the CGC with the Bureau’s activities and to seek partnership with the Service as an essential security structure in the country. 

The DG, who identified some key areas on which the DRDB wishes to collaborate with the Nigeria Customs Service, also expressed optimism that their alliance will enable them to coordinate significant operations at border areas across the federation. 

The DG further stated, "Addressing these challenges with compassion and jointly developing technologies that address border security concerns will help us to fortify our border areas, and that is one key aspect that I want to seek the cooperation of the Comptroller-General of Customs to join hands with DRDB in partnership."

Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Nationwide Protest: Customs, Police, NPA assures Port Users of Normal Port Operations

Nationwide Protest: Customs, Police, NPA assures Port Users of Normal Port  Operations
 



Bisi Akingbade 

In preparation for the Nationwide protest by Nigerian youths, the Customs Area Controller, CAC, of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu has given a reassurance to port users operating in Apapa that activities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) would continue uninterrupted despite apprehensions about an impending nationwide protest

Addressing a meeting of stakeholders in Apapa on Tuesday, Comptroller Olomu  said it has become expedient to rebuild confidence in importers, exporters, licensed customs agents,freight forwarders,haulage operators and other port users on the availability of Nigeria Customs Service officers in Apapa Port on all working days as usual

He stated that customs officers attached to the command at the port and all terminals under his watch shall be available to discharge their usual functions and support in facilitating all legitimate trade within their purview. 

In a press statement issued by the Chief Superintendent of Customs/Customs Public Relations Officer, Usman Abubakar stated that the CAC further advised that the office of the Customs Public Relations Officer and other offices assigned to function as help desks shall be available to address inquiries and give further details where necessary. 

For the avoidance of doubt, Comptroller Olomu reminded members of the Apapa Port Community, including sister government agencies, that customs officers shall be resuming work by 8am on all weekdays and may work during weekends, when necessary. 

While thanking the compliant port users, whom he described as partners in progress, the Area Controller reiterated the command's resolve to continually ensure maximum collection of all government revenue without compromising the due diligence required for all import and export cargo examination

Also, speaking at the meeting, Commissioner of Police in charge of Western Ports CP Lanre Ishola thanked the Controller for convening the meeting and stated that the police will ensure the respect of citizens' rights at all times 

The Port Manager for Apapa Port, Mr. Charles Okaga reminded all port users at the meeting that Apapa Port runs a 24-hour operation. Okaga added that other stakeholders in the cargo clearing process, like the shipping companies and terminal operators, will be sensitised by Nigerian Ports Authority to dispense their services normally. 

Okaga said the NPA will urge shipping companies and terminal operators not to impose demurrage on cargoes under their control, for days they couldn't effect services for clearance


Monday, 29 July 2024

Nigeria Customs Service Rakes In N2.74tn In First Half Of 2024,With 127% Increase Over Previous Year's Revenue.

Nigeria Customs Service Rakes In N2.74tn In First Half Of 2024,With 127% Increase Over Previous Year's  Revenue.
     CGC, ADEWALE ADENIYI 


By: Bisi Akingbade 

  
The Nigeria Customs Service , NCS,  announced its mid-year performance report, highlighting its core mandates of revenue collection, trade facilitation, and societal protection. This report underscores the Service’s commitment to supporting the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinu bu’s administration. It aligns with our pledge to deliver a transparent and accessible system under the leadership of Comptroller-General (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team. 

The NCS has achieved remarkable success in the first half of 2024. With a half-year revenue target of N2.54 trillion, the Service has collected N2.74 trillion, surpassing the target by 8% and marking a 127% increase over the previous year's revenue. N1.395 trillion was collected for the second quarter, exceeding the quarterly target by 10% and representing a 131% increase over Q2 2023. Key initiatives contributing to this success include the e-auction platform, which generated over N1.34 billion, and the 90-day duty payment window for uncustomed vehicles, adding N4.37 billion to the revenue. These measures have significantly enhanced transparency, compliance, and efficiency in customs processes, underscoring the NCS's commitment to excellence.

The Service intensified its anti-smuggling operations in the first half of 2024, resulting in notable achievements. From January to June 2024, the NCS made 2,442 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 25,520,652,942.87, which is 203% higher than the DPV of seizures in the first half of 2023. In the second quarter of 2024, the NCS made 1,334 seizures with a DPV of NGN 17,564,384,378, representing a 121% increase over the first quarter of 2024. The top items seized include wildlife items, vehicles, arms and ammunition, foreign rice, pharmaceuticals, and narcotics, with 32 suspects in custody. 

According to the press release issued by the  Chief Superintendent of Customs/National Public Relations Officer, Abdullah Maiwada, highlighted that trade facilitation remains a core priority for the NCS. In the first half of 2024, the Service processed 620,467 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs), reflecting a reduction of approximately 39% compared to the same period in 2023. Despite this decline, the NCS has implemented several key initiatives to simplify and expedite customs processes. These include reinforcement of NCS automation procedures, capacity-building programs for officers, and public-private partnerships to enhance customs clearance efficiency. These efforts are crucial for enhancing Nigeria's trade competitiveness and supporting economic growth.

Despite the achievements, the NCS faced several challenges in the first half of 2024, including significant fluctuations in the exchange rate, a lower volume of transactions, low compliance levels among importers and exporters, and periodic downtime. These challenges impacted the consistency of revenue collection and overall operational efficiency. To address these challenges and enhance revenue collection, the NCS implemented several strategies, including real-time system auditing, post-clearance audits, verification of documents for the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), ensuring compliance with import guidelines, and the implementation of a pilot test for the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) scheme. 

Additionally, the NCS has recently introduced the Advance Ruling System (ARS), a legally binding decision on classification, valuation, and rules of origin before the importation or exportation of goods. Other pragmatic measures implemented to increase revenue, despite a drop in cargo throughput, included establishing a robust framework for dispute resolution, launching Operation Whirlwind, reshuffling strategic-level officers and robust stakeholders’ engagement.

The CGC commends all officers and men of the NCS for their diligence and commitment. He also acknowledges the stakeholders who have played significant roles in achieving this performance. He further reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s dedication to supporting the realisation of government policies for a better Nigeria.


Kebbi Area Command:: Armed Men Killed Officer, Abducted One.

Kebbi Area Command:: Armed  Men Killed Officer, Abducted  One.
By: Bisi Akingbade 

The Nigeria Customs Service , NCS, Kebbi Area Command, has announced the death  of its Officer and abduction of another officer due to an attack on its patrol base by group of armed men, destroying properties and targeting officers in contest to the recent boost to anti-smuggling activities in the area.

The Armed men, after causing mayhem to the patrol base, trailed and attacked two of our officers; shot one and abducted the other. Unfortunately, Assistant Superintendent Customs I Dabo Umar lost his life while Superintendent of Customs Babagana Abba Kabiru was abducted.

The deceased officer's corpse was retrieved and conveyed to Kaduna for burial according to Islamic rites.

In a press release issued by the Superintendent  Officer/ Public Relations Officer, Kebbi Area Command, Mohammed Tajudeen Salusu, affirmed that  a manhunt has been launched for the killers and abductors of the officers, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Iheanacho Ernest Ojike commiserates with the family of the deceased and prays for the release of the abducted officer.

 "We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the affected officer and the deceased.

 "It is pertinent to state that this unfortunate incident will not deter officers and men of NCS Kebbi Area Command, in collaboration with other customs units and agencies of government, from performing our statutory functions in the best interest of Nigerians.

"Our reasons for collaborating with ICPC is so perfect because we consider ICPC as the critical witness of government." - CGC ADENIYI

"Our reasons for collaborating with ICPC is so perfect because we consider ICPC as the critical witness of government." - CGC ADENIYI 
By: Bisi Akingbade 

 The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has led his team to pay an official visit to the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Musa Adamu, as part of his efforts to foster collaboration with sister security agencies and to develop proactive strategies against corruption by officers and stakeholders. 

Addressing the ICPC Boss and his team at the Commission's Headquarters, CGC Adeniyi sought the cooperation of the ICPC Chairman to join hands with the Service in mitigating the root of corruption amongst non-compliant traders and officers, adding, "Our reasons for collaborating with ICPC is so perfect because we consider ICPC as the critical witness of government."

Speaking about his successes in terms of revenue generation since he assumed office in 2023, CGC Adeniyi said, "We've achieved a 70% increase in revenue generation in the last one year; paid attention to our security mandates, and we are doing our best to ensure that we keep the bad guys out of our borders."

Speaking further, he said, "We believe that it is also possible for us to take a second look at areas that are prone to corruption and the integrity gaps by ourselves, to tackle them and bring back the glory of the country in terms of trade facilitation and ease of doing businesses."

According to the press release issued by the service spokesman, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada,, the Customs Boss, however, expressed optimism that through forming a strong alliance between the two agencies, their aims to fight corrupt practices will be easier, as it will aid them in discharging their mandates, "So, this is why I felt that we need to put ICPC amongst those critical agencies of government that's we are collaborating with." He added. 
The CGC, who saluted the efforts of ICPC in their course of tracking and curtailing corrupt practices in Nigeria, said the Service, under his watch, took a second look at areas that are prone to corruption and integrity gaps in its system, which, according to him, needs the assistance of the commission to mitigate the menace.

He added, "This is why we felt we needed a partnership with an agency like yours to teach transparency into our system. And we believe that, once we make it possible to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Nigeria Customs Service and ICPC, we will achieve this in a number of ways in terms of specific areas."

On his part, Chairman of ICPC, Adamu, welcomed the CGC and his team, appreciating his move to tie the knot with the commission to mitigate the menace of corrupt practices in Nigeria. 

According to him, ICPC has achieved numerous milestones in preventing corruption and paving the way for partnering with stakeholders to ensure a prosperous Nigeria. 

He said, "I believe the responsibility to promote the image of this country is reposed on our shoulders, and only through sanitising Nigeria as well as collaborating with NCS, will we achieve greatness."

According to the Chairman, one of the ways to achieve the fight against corruption is to organise capacity building for traders and stakeholders to train them on how to avoid being into what would be considered sabotage to the national economy.

CGC Says Wellness Exercise Contribute To Operational Efficiency

CGC Says Wellness Exercise Contribute  To Operational Efficiency

By: Bisi Akingbade 


The Comptroller General of Customs, CGC,  Adewale Adeniyi yesterday led a work-life balance exercise at the Kano Race Course, in Kano State.

CGC  Adeniyi said the Work-Life Balance is one of many initiatives by the Nigeria Customs Service aimed at promoting the well-being of its officers and ensuring they are fit to meet the demands of their duties.

The CGC emphasised the importance of regular physical activity for overall health of officers and men. 

He further encouraged all officers to incorporate exercise into their daily routines as such activities contribute to better service delivery and operational efficiency.

Officers and men of Kano/Jigawa Command actively participated in the exercise.