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Stakeholders accuse Customs of extortion

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone ‘B’ Federal Operations Unit (FOU), has seized 250 parcels of goods amongst other smuggled goods worth N275.989 million between Dec. 22, 2021 and Jan. 27.

…As $51 oil benchmark okay for 2018 budget, say experts***

Stakeholders in the maritime industry have accused officials of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) of extortion at the ports.

The stakeholders which include importers, clearing agents and truck drivers allege that officials of NCS “extort” them and subject them to “second clearing.”

The NCS has denied any such dealings, insisting that it is performing its job of securing the nation.

Speaking at the second stakeholders meeting organised by the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) in Apapa, Lagos, yesterday, the stakeholders said what the Customs is doing is against the trade facilitation programme of the Federal Government and ease of doing business.

An Assistant Controller of Customs at the forum Mr Yahaya O I A said the agency has resorted to the measure because most of the importers and clearing agents operating at the sea ports are not honest in their declarations.

Yahaya said if there is information that there was manipulation in the document presented by any importer or clearing agent for the release of cargo from the port, other customs officers will look at the papers before allowing the truck to exit the gate.

The Managing Director of NPA Ms Hadiza Bala Usman said the agency has received several complains from importers and freight forwarders  that officials of the NCS  are subjecting their cargo to ‘second clearing” an allegation that was randomly dismissed by Yahya.

Represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr Sokonte Davies, the NPA chief urged the Customs to put in place mechanism that would eradicate re-examination of cargo at the gate, reduce time and boost the policy of the government on the ease of doing business.

She also directed shipping companies to develop their holding bays to international standard to receive their empty containers and reduce the gridlock on the Apapa road.

Some of the truck drivers at the event who spoke with The Nation on the side line of the event alleged that some of the Customs officers at the Tin-Can port demand between N20,000 and N40,000 and, at times, more before allowing them to go.

The importers and drivers appealed to Transport Minister, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; his Finance counterpart, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and the Customs Comptroller-General (CCG) Col Ahmeed Ali (retd) to  eliminate what they called “open day extortion at port”.

In the meantime, experts have commended the decison to raise the oil benchmark from $45 to $51 per barrel for the 2018 budget passed on Wednesday by the National Assembly, more than six months after it was presented.

The National Assembly passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N9.12 trillion, raised from the N8.61 trillion proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 7, 2017.

The budget expenditure was premised on oil price benchmark of 51 dollars per barrel as against 45 dollars proposed by the President.

Crude oil production was bench-marked at 2.3 million barrels per day and exchange rate of N305 to one dollar.

Acting Chairman Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) Mr Victor Muruako, described the passge of the bill as “a relief to the nation.”

Muruako said it would also bring hope to the populace and boost the economy.

He described the crude oil benchmark at 51 dollars per barrel as the right thing to do, considering the current price of crude oil globally which yesterday hit the $80 threshold, the first time since 2014.

“The crude oil price benchmark is very realistic because if you look at the current crude oil price you will see that 51 dollars is fair enough, because the essence of these things is not to have an unrealistic estimate.

“Crude is going for 78 to 80 dollars per barrel and I think 51 dollars is even conservative but it is better to be on the safe side, so for me it is a commendable effort,” Muruako said.

He also said the increase in the budget estimate by the National Assembly by N508 billion was in the interest of the country.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) also commended the oil benchmark.

The Director-General of LCCI Muda Yusuf, said: “Given the development in the crude oil market, which has pushed oil price to about $80 per barrel, I think the decision of the National Assembly to increase the benchmark is understandable.

“If the increase is in the areas that would make impact, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, security and health, it is welcome.

“As at the time the budget was presented to the National Assembly, oil price was below $50 per barrel, so the adjustment is laudable,” he said.

Yusuf urged the Federal Government to guard against a future recurrence of the budget delay process, adding that the delay might affect timelines for the delivery of capital projects and create uncertainties in the economy.

“It is becoming a culture that we always have budget delays, which I do not think is good for our economy,” he said.

President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Prof. Segun Ajibola, describd the provision of N2.8 trillion for capital expenditure in the Budget as low.

Ajibola in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said: “Looking at the provision for the capital expenditure, one will say it is low because there are lots to be done in economy today in terms of capital projects.

“In terms of infrastructure, we have power projects, railway, refineries, manufacturing and agriculture projects.

“These are capital related projects that require substantial allocation from the budget.

“When one looks at the state of economy today, one will say the provision of capital expenditure is low,’’ he said.

Ajibola, however, called for timely release of funds to implement the capital projects.

“We are in May now; we don’t want to hear that funds are not released for capital projects in October.

“If that is the case, that means nothing can be achieved in the implementation of the 2018 budget,’’ the don said.

“They are projects-hiked adjustment; they are adjustment that can be measured.

“Also, I want you to know that the implementation of budget is done by the executive not the legislature, so the President will still do some consultations before signing the Budget.’’

The don assured that the country’s rising debt profile of N21.7 trillion was nothing to worry about, though on the high side.

He said it was not much to worry about because the quality of the debt was spent on projects so that the dividend of borrowing would come handy to an average Nigerian.

“We also know that some of the debts are transmitted from local to foreign through Euro bond to reduce the debt burden.

“It is also a good development when you look at the budget and debt services; we can say that the debt is channeled toward development,’’ Ajibola said.

The Nation

 

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Customs Boosts AfCFTA, Facilitates First Shipment from Nigeria to Kenya

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Customs Boosts AfCFTA, Facilitates First Shipment from Nigeria to Kenya

…Olutayo commends Customs for truly working for genuine success of Nigeria’s participation 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) gave the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) meaning on Wednesday as it facilitated Nigeria’s first shipment to Kenya. Lucky Fibres, a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, emerged as one of the first companies to ship goods to Kenya. 

Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Expert and Lead of Trade Enablement at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office indicated this Wednesday, 30 October 2024, during a visit to the Apapa Area Command, towards ensuring proper documentation and verification of the shipment, noting that the shipment from Nigeria to Kenya, specifically to the port of Mombasa, demonstrates the collaborative spirit of AfCFTA.

“It is not that we are doing it alone; I have already sent a message to the Secretariat in Ghana that there will be a shipment under AfCFTA to Kenya. I have also communicated with the AfCFTA implementation committee in Kenya. So this is the spirit we are building to ensure that we increase intra-African trade,” Olutayo noted.

“The Nigeria Customs Service has been fantastic; they are ready to facilitate trade. Once they hear that there is an issue, particularly around AfCFTA, you will see everybody ready to support”

He emphasised the critical role of the service as the Designated Competent Authority (DCA) under AfCFTA, leveraging its expertise to ensure seamless trade.

“The Nigeria Customs Service has been fantastic; they are ready to facilitate trade. Once they hear that there is an issue, particularly around AfCFTA, you will see everybody ready to support and facilitate it, which is the essence of true trade facilitation.”

Assistant Comptroller Olusola Salako, the releasing officer for Lilypond Export Command at Apapa Area Command, highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s efforts to leverage technology to ensure that AfCFTA is successful in Africa.

“The service has aligned with the mandates of the World Customs Organisation to prioritise the importance of trade. Gone are the days when we experienced issues. Today, we have a Unified Customs Management System (UCMS). With trade becoming more global, we went back to the drawing board and improved our technology, which will help us facilitate trade.

“The service is already in top gear; officers have been trained, and we have dedicated officers, senior officers, and releasing officers for this particular export procedure—not limited to AfCFTA alone—and we also have dedicated ports,” Salako concluded.

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Nigeria Customs Announces, Mourns DSC Usman who Passed on Tuesday

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Nigeria Customs Announces, Mourns DSC Usman who Passed on, Tuesday

…After a protracted illness

The Nigeria Customs Service NCS has announced the death of an officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) HI USMAN, who passed on, in the early hours of today Tuesday 5 November 2024 after a protracted illness.

“We regret to announce the death of our officer,  Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) HI Usman who passed on, in the early hours of today, Tuesday 5 November 2024 after a protracted illness”, the Public Relations Officer, Adamawa/ Taraba Command, Deputy Superintendent of Customs,  NG Titus said in a statement made available to the Maritime First.

The Command described the late Usman as a very dedicated officer who prioritised his work on the Revenue seat of the command, until his demise.

“Late DSC Umar hails from Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State, he was born on the 6 June 1967. He joined the Nigeria Customs Service on 1 January 1992 and was promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Customs on 1 January 2022.

In the meantime, the Customs Area Controller, GB Bashir, and his management team have commiserated with the family and friends of the deceased, praying that the Almighty Allah grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

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CUSTOMS: Nigeria Adopts Advanced Tech, Improves Capacity For Data Analytics, And Service Delivery

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CUSTOMS: Nigeria Adopts Advanced Tech, Improves Capacity For Data Analytics, And Service Delivery

…Adeniyi says strengthening relations with Korea has enhanced the nation’s alignment with the World Customs Organization standards

The Nigeria Customs Service NCS is quietly strengthening the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Korea, and this has resulted in Nigeria recording several gains, including NCS’s capacity to adopt advanced technologies, in addition to engagement in data analytics programmes.

The Maritime First learnt that an impressed Korean Embassy on Thursday, 31 October 2024, hosted a formal dinner in honour of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi and members of his management team at the Embassy in Abuja.

“Learning from global leaders, like Korean Customs, has empowered us to adapt and refine our data-driven strategies,” the CGC stated, adding:

“It is due to our dedicated partnerships that the NCS is now engaged in data analytics programmes, in alignment with World Customs Organization standards,” CGC Adeniyi stated. 

“Learning from global leaders, like Korean Customs, has empowered us to adapt and refine our data-driven strategies”

The event underscored the strengthening of bilateral relations and the shared objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Korean authorities.

The CGC Adeniyi who was accompanied by senior officers including Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) of Human Resource Development, Greg Itotoh, DCG of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, and DCG of ICT-Modernisation, Kikelomo Adeola, expressed his appreciation for Korea’s commitment to partnership. 

In his address, CGC Adeniyi highlighted the progress achieved through collaboration with the Embassy of Korea and other allied agencies, noting how these relationships have enhanced the NCS’s capacity to adopt advanced technologies.

“It is due to our dedicated partnerships that the NCS is now engaged in data analytics programmes, in alignment with World Customs Organization standards,” CGC Adeniyi stated. 

 “We are honoured by the comptroller general’s presence here tonight, and we look forward to further strengthening ties with the Nigeria Customs Service”

He elaborated on how these analytics enable the Service to make informed decisions, benefiting from predictive, descriptive, and prescriptive insights.

The Korean Ambassador, His Excellency Kim Pankym, in response, commended the CGC and his team for their dedication and expressed optimism about continued collaboration.

 

“We are honoured by the Comptroller-General’s presence here tonight, and we look forward to further strengthening ties with the Nigeria Customs Service,” Ambassador Pankym said. He emphasised the Embassy’s commitment to supporting the growth and modernisation of the NCS.

In his remarks, DCG Greg Itoto expressed the Service’s appreciation for Korea’s proactive engagement with NCS initiatives.

 

“The Embassy’s support and willingness to partner with us are instrumental in driving our Service to greater heights. We look forward to continued growth through these collaborations,” Itotoh stated.

The evening reflected the deepening relations between the two nations and affirmed Korea’s dedication to Nigeria’s customs modernisation and capacity-building efforts.

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