• As Customs Exceeds First Quarter Revenue; Grosses In N239.4bn

Determined to frightfully execute the recently issued Executive Order to the letter, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), has inaugurated a high powered committee to champion smooth cargo clearing and ensure genuine elimination of corruption.

The committee which is chaired by the Acting Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) Trade and Tariff, Mr Suleiman Aluo consisted of Customs officers and ANLCA members who would amongst other modes of addressing issues of corruption, ensure a pre-release of cargo,   which would have been delayed over minor documention hitches, as well as ensure that any officers or agents caught in the web of sharp practices is visited by observable sanctions.

The NCS Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Attah who confirmed this in Abuja, on Monday, highlighted that the inauguration of the Committee was sequel to a meeting between the  Customs Management and members of ANLCA Management, led by its National President, Mr Olayiwola Shittu, and saddled with the tasks of devising ways of fine-tuning cargo clearance procedures.

Attah while praising the dedicated commitment of Shittu’s team to assist Customs management to actualize the Ease of Doing Business directive, noted that  all issues raised by ANLCA members at the meeting,  revolving around harmonising Customs operations to eliminate duplication of functions had been thoroughly brainstormed on.

“Cargo should not be held for minor documentation offences. Such cargo can be pre-released and the perfection of documentation done later, ’’ Attah indicated, giving credence to actualization of the Ease of Doing Business in the nation’s ports.

He observed that ANLCA members and the Customs would now join hands in dealing with corrupt members.

On Seme Border, the Customs spokesman said that the service had raised the issue of non-compliance with the ECOWAS protocol on transit goods, among others, stressing that the ECOWAS Protocol demands that the country of entry escorts such goods and handover to the Customs of the country the goods are exiting to.

Attah said that non-handing over of goods to the NCS officials by the Beninoise Customs had increased activities of smuggling.

“Because when they (Beninoise Customs) collect their taxes on such goods, they allow these goods to find their way,’’ he said.

Attah who also confirmed that the committee had already been given a marching order to look at issues that impeded smooth cargo clearance procedures and recommend how to deal with such issues; noting that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali, in fact commended ANLCA members for their readiness to support NCS “as it proceeds toward the implementation of the Executive Order on the Ease of Doing Business.’’

He said that the comptroller-general believed that such steps will help the service in identifying and deal with members that default.

Attah said that any Customs officer or clearing agent identified as a problem would be dealt with accordingly.

On bonded vehicle terminal, Attah said that any individual, who has interest in operating a bonded terminal, could apply for a licence.

In the meantime, the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), in the first quarter of 2017 generated a total sum of N239.4bn, into the coffers of the Federal Government.

The Federal Ministry of Finance (FMOT) confirmed this on Monday, in a document showing the activities of the ministry of finance in the last two years.

The documents also showed that the NCS in terms of revenue performance, has now exceeded its first quarter revenue target of N193.2bn; a reason which may not be unconnected with ongoing reform programme, aimed at restructuring the agency, re-orientating its officers, removing defects and adopting a simplified  procedures in its activities.

“The NCS collected N904.07bn in 2015 against a target of N944.4bn; the total collection in 2016 was N898.67bn against the target amount of N973.3bn.

“Between January and March 2017,the NCS was able to generate N239.4b, thereby exceeding the target of N193.22bn set for the period,” it said.

The service also said it had complied with a Presidential directive to deliver all seized perishable goods to the Internally Displaced Persons affected by the insurgency in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Benin camps.

It said the reforms embarked upon by the government has started yielding results as there is a strict compliance with rules governing the operations of the NCS, adding that a standard operational procedure has been developed to ensure transparency and accountability.

The service also said it has strengthened international engagements with the World Customs Organisation and the World Trade Organisation for trade facilitation and optimum revenue collection.

Finally, the Customs management also highlighted that it’s compliance team has been set up to ensure conformity with trade regulations adding that this would help to block all illegal routes for smuggling.