Business

Customs pledges to facilitate trade through technological advancements

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has said that the customs will build on the previous gains achieved in the implementation process of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Trade Modernization Project (TMP) aimed at enhancing trade facilitation.

Adeniyi made this promise at a closed-door meeting held at the Customs Corporate Headquarters, in Abuja with members of the TMP Steering Committee.

He disclosed that the project is geared towards the end-to-end automation of the processes and procedures of the NCS.

According to him, the Trade Modernization Project encompasses the Unified Customs Management System, Trade Portal, and Cargo Release System, alongside Automation Services such as Big Data & AI Integration and Document Management System, as well as Transition and Handbook, covering Technology Upgrades and Enhanced Capacity Building.

Adeniyi noted that the project has been identified as a milestone, highlighting the significance of digitization for transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness. “It sets the stage for adapting to evolving market dynamics in trade, optimizing operations and procedures, and creating new pathways to unlock revenue streams.” The CGC emphasized

Addressing the members of the NCS TMP Steering Committee, the Comptroller-General reiterated that the project is designed to last for twenty years and has three phases, which are Core Services, Automation Services, Transition, and Handback.

He said, “This project will be able to address the challenges before us, answer tough questions, and make good decisions that will propel the service forward. We will discuss some of the highlights in detail so we can review the implementation of decisions taken”.

I’m optimistic that we will have robust discussions and make very good decisions. I’ve also seen some highlights of the reports of the last meeting. Hopefully, along the line, we will discuss those in detail”, adding the team has a solid foundation that will assist them in reviewing the implementation of progressive decisions.

The Chairman of the Trade Modernization Project Limited, Saleh Ahmadu, reiterated the Team’s full support for the Service.

He revealed that software has been created to integrate revenue collection to support the NCS revenue target of N6 trillion in 2024. He also expressed optimism that the steering committee will strive to overcome their everyday challenges.

“This is to support the CGC’s revenue target of 6 trillion by the year 2024, alongside the many other successes that we will share with you today. We have also faced serious challenges, particularly in sourcing foreign exchange,” he said.