The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has asked for the support of the National Assembly Senate Committee on Customs to address its automation in order to improve trade facilitation and revenue generation.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi made the appeal at the Senate Wing, National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
He said that the request highlighted the Customs Service’s commitment to fostering economic growth, job creation, and dynamic trade relations.
“Not only introducing them but also standardizing them to enhance Customs’ clearance processes, revenue generation, which will be a better experience for both Customs administration and stakeholders,” CGC Adeniyi disclosed while commenting on the Senate Committee’s interest in improving NCS’s works as regards revenue generation.
He recollected the incorporation of the automation process by the Nigeria Customs Service in the late 1990s when it purchased modern gadgets, including computers and software, as part of the Service’s efforts to introduce computerization processes.
CGC Adeniyi also revealed what the NCS wants to achieve with the automation of its operations.
His words: “The first major objective of the consortium was to provide an end-to-end ICT platform to digitalize procedures and processes. The second one is to look at the present infrastructure and update it in line with international standards, ranking amongst the best in the world.”
He elucidated that the other objective was to provide technology-based solutions to address challenges faced by the Service.
“The last part is the general organization of our infrastructure to provide the tools needed that will be associated with these objectives, deliverables, and part of deliverables first is to build a Unified Customs Management System.”
He further stated: “The system needs to process the traditions of goods that will provide electronic party systems for the Service whereby its entire processes would be automated.
“The conditions of the non-intrusive inspection system include provisions, revisions of cargo tracking systems, intelligent gates, new infrastructure, like a data center to build the capacity of officers because it is essential in the last phase of the project.”
Speaking on the Service’s strategic approach to enhancing trade and ensuring smooth businesses for local traders, he appealed to the Senators to actively support local business people in exporting items.
He also mentioned that such development will improve the country’s economy, thereby creating job opportunities.
CGC Adeniyi also stressed that “If we properly monitor the impact of these kinds of instruments, they do not represent an absolute loss to the economy.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Muhammad Sani in his remarks lauded Adeniyi for his works in relation to revenue generation.
Senator Sani said the recent revenue records of Nigeria Customs Service is an indicator that the agency’s revenue will increase, adding that it is needed to improve the current economic situation of the country.
“By encouraging a more balanced approach, the aim is to empower local businesses through increased attention to export initiatives, aligning with a broader vision for a sustainable economic landscape.”
In the same vein, he engaged the Procurement Committee from the House of Representatives on the financial responsibilities of the agency.
