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Challenges Of Destination Inspection

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Destination Inspectors in Nigerian Ports, otherwise known as Service Providers like the SGS and other risk management and scanning service providers are faced with a lot of challenges in the course of their service delivery.
These challenges which are manifested on the day to day running of their businesses at the nation’s port ranges from Risk Assessment Report (RAR)/Risk Management and price verification and classification of information to cargo scanners and scanning services, as well as training courses and complete handover to the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS).
The aim of the Destination Inspection Policy of the Federal Government was primarily to strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) by replacing pre-shipment inspection in exporting countries with inspection on arrival in Nigeria using the latest technology tools.
This objective was envisioned to take care of notable irregularities which had characterised the Nigerian Maritime business as the case may be.
Other reasons for the destination inspection include the facilitation of trade through risk management and the use of non-intrusive inspection (x-ray scanning) of selected imports prior to Customs clearances thereby minimising the need for physical examination, as well as to enhance regulatory compliance and collection of import duties/taxes.
In a move to meet the objectives, the Federal Government engaged the services of some service providers like the SGS scanners to assist NCS with the implementation of the Destination Inspection Service (DI).
The three service providers commissioned for the job are SGS, Global Scan and Cotecna, and the function of the service providers are splited into three: port/point of arrival and entry into Nigeria.
SGS zone covers the Port Harcourt main port and airport, Onne Port, Idiroko border post, and the Ilorin International Airport.
Other service providers like the Global Scan covers Calabar Port, Warri, Lagos Airport, and Service Border Area, while the Cotecna canner covers the Apapa Port, Tincan Island Port, Abuja Airport, Kano Airport, as well as the Jibiya and Banki border posts.
In an effort to meet up the stated objectives in their zone, the SGS on their part has said that it has provided both classroom and on the job training for NCS, in all Destination Inspection (DI) aspects, to enable them complete the handover process to NCS at the end of the contract.
Like other service providers might have done, the SGS also said that it has deployed a Risk Management System and X-ray Cargo Scanning Machines to facilitate trade, which have minimised need for physical inspection.
This has also helped to identify suspected containers with contraband goods thereby enhancing the clearance of cargoes as well as reducing the delay caused by physical inspection.
The Managing Director of SGS, Mr Nigel Balchin who dropped the hint when the House of Representative Committee on Customs visited Port Harcourt recently, also posited that the interlink between the service providers system and NCS ASYCUDA system, which is the electronic Customs (e-Customs) and Direct Trade Input (DTI) introduction has helped in compliance and proper accountability.
The ASYCUDA (e-CUSTOMS) which was implemented at Onne Port in November 2007, was later implemented in Port Harcourt in June 2009, which has facilitated documentation/transactions.
Inspite of this progress recorded by SGS, there are other issues that have impeded the smooth sail of the DI activities which have translated to delay in cargo clearing process.
Transmission of documents to service provider(s) is one of such challenges in the DI operations. The guideline requires that Form “M” and other final shipping documents must be received from the bank in Lagos.
The guideline for DI also requires that duly completed and approved form “M” should be submitted to the office of the respective scanning and Risk Service Provider in Lagos not later than five working days after the approval.
According to SGS, this policy has placed importers, particularly those at Eastern ports at a disadvantage as the form “M” application is still in hard copy and has to be sent by courier by the importer’s local bank branch to the bank’s head office in Lagos for approval.
From the SGS presentations, an importer who completes and submits Form “M” in Port Harcourt to his bank, the form has to go by courier to the bank’s office in Lagos, who also will in turn send this document to SGS office in Lagos, which may take up to three days before getting to SGS.
By estimate, a document returned for submission will take six days on the journey, and this will result to delay in cargo clearing process.
Transmission of copies of Risk Assessment Report (RAR) to importees has posed big challenge to service provider like the SGS.
Making a presentation at the seminar organised by maritime reporters in Port Harcourt, Mr Oyebode Joseph of SGS stated that the issue of sending RAR in hard copy to head offices of banks has posed challenges to quick service delivery.
He said RAR contains vital information about the value, and classification for the guidance of NCS to facilitate the final determination for clearing.
According to Mr Joseph, experience has shown that cargoes are not normally presented for scanning by the clearing agents on time. This puts pressure on the scanning operators to cope with the rush at closing time.
The possibility of training Customs officers that will man the scanning and e-Customs services is another challenge facing SGS and other DI contractors before the end to their contract period.
Apart from operating, the maintenance is also vital as well as getting acquainted with the latest technology on scanning and ASYCUDA, before termination of contract.
For the 48 hours cargo clearing process to be effective, the processes of documentation and inspection which have posed challenges to service providers have to be addressed.
As part of solutions to the challenges, Mr Oyebode of SGS has stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is rolling an electronic Form “M” project in the near future and this will assist importers outside Lagos.
Also, SGS is positioning to begin to send copies of RAR by e-mail to bank branches that opened the Form “M”.
On the delay on presenting cargo for scanning, clearing agents are being encouraged to make use of the mornings when cargoes can be cleared without delays so as to leave the port in good time.
Also, the SGS has maintained that it will adopt the train the trainer method for Customs officers, who will in turn train others, and this will be done in batches.
When these challenges are taken care of then cargo clearing process could be easier, and there is hope that 48 hour clearing will be achievable, even outside the Lagos ports environs.

Corlins Walter

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Eazipay  Offers Zero-Interest Loans To  150,000 SMEs, Employees

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With a mission to ignite growth, encourage business continuity and help businesses and employees thrive, Eazipay is gearing up to propel the dreams of 150,000 SMEs and employees to new heights through her relief fund.
Gone are the days of financial constraints and stifled dreams. With Eazipay’s support, SMEs and employees alike can bid farewell to limitations and embrace a world of endless possibilities.
Whether it’s start up,  business expansion or personal development, Eazipay is here to make dreams come true.
The mind-blowing initiative, which  kicked off this month, would end in December, and will also offer a range of perks and benefits designed to put a smile on the faces of SMEs and employees alike.
From exclusive discounts to various advisory services and beyond, Eazipay is committed to spreading happiness and creating lasting impact in people’s lives and to the growth of businesses.
The technology company which offers products and services that range from payroll management to IT/Device management and assessments, “Eazipay isn’t just providing financial support but also unleashing a wave of growth and prosperity for SMEs and employees across the nation.
“Interested businesses and individuals can take part in this initiative directly from the Eazipay website: www.myeazipay.com”.

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SMEs Critical For Sustainable Dev – Commissioner

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The Commissioner of Finance, Lagos State, Abayomi Oluyomi, has described Small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) as a critical engine for sustainable development in any economy.
He said this recently at the 10th anniversary of the Alert Group Microfinance Bank and the opening of their new head office in Lagos.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, SMEs accounted for about 50 per cent of Nigeria’s gross.
He commended the positive impact of the Alert MFB as it empowers SMEs in the State.
“Alert MFB in the past 10 years has been at the forefront of empowering SMEs in Lagos State, disbursing over N30bn in loans to over 30,000 individuals having small to medium businesses over that period, which is quite remarkable”, he said.
Speaking, the Group Managing Director of Alert Group, Dr Kazeem Olanrewaju, revealed that the financial institution commenced business in 2013 as a microfinance bank.
“We started this journey in 2013 and it has been expanding. Today, they have about 10 branches across Lagos. They have supported well over 30,000 clients and have disbursed over N30bn.
“The company has been profitable since the second year. Looking at the market and the available opportunity, the Alert MFB board decided to come together to establish a Microfinance Institute (MFI), which is the Auto Bucks Lenders”, Dr. Olanrewaju said.
The GMD further stated that the company was focused more on supporting businesses and small and medium enterprises.
“The loan to support business represents over 98 per cent. The consumer loans you will see are the ones given to entrepreneurs. So, the area of focus of Alert MFB and Auto Bucks Lenders is to support businesses across the country.
“With the establishment of Auto Bucks Lenders, we have the opportunity to also do business outside Lagos. So, presently, we have offices in Ogun State and Oyo State. We intend to go to every part of Nigeria to support what we are doing”, he declared.

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Retailers Explain Price Drop In  Cement Cost

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The cement market, in the last couple of weeks, has seen a significant turnaround with prices tumbling from between N10,000 and N15,000 per 50kg bag to between N7,000 and N8,000.
The sudden rise in the prices of cement and other major building materials in February this year upsets  the construction industry, especially in real estate, where many developers were forced to abandon building sites.
A recent market survey conducted by The Tide’s source in different locations across the country confirmed a price drop, ranging between N7,000 and N7,500 per bag, though BUA cement is selling for N7,500 to N7,800 per 50kg bag, depending on location.
Both entrepreneurs and major distributors who were interviewed,  explained that the price drop is due to low demand and government’s intervention.
At the peak of the price hike, the Federal Government called a meeting with major producers where it was agreed that a bag of cement should be between for N7,000 to N8,000, depending on location.
But the producers did not comply with this agreement immediately, followin which “Nigerians stopped demanding for cement; many project sites were abandoned as developers sat back and waited for the prices to come down.
“So, what has happened is an inter-play of demand and supply with price responding, which is Economics at work”, Collins Okpala, a cement dealer, told the source in Abuja.
In the Nyanya area of the Federal Capital Territory, a 50-kg bag of Dangote cement now sells for between N7,000 and N7,500, while BUA cement sells for between N8,500 and N9,500, down from between N11,000 and N12,000 respectively.
In Lagos, the product has seen significant price drop too. In Ojo area of the state, Sebastin Ovie, a dealer, told our reporter that what has happened is a crash from the January price, attributing the crash to low demand and stronger naira.
“The current price of the product is between N7,000 and N7,500 per 50kg bag, depending on the brand. This is a significant drop from the average of N12,000 which most dealers were selling in February and March”, he said.
A dealer in Agege area of the state who identified himself as Taofik Olateju, told the source that sales are picking up due to the drop in price.
He recalled that Nigerians at a point stopped buying due to the high price of the product at N15,000 per bag.
“I am sure most dealers ran at a loss then because we had mainly old stocks which we wanted to offload quickly”, he said, confirming that the product sells for between N7,500 and N8,000, depending on the brand and the demand for the brand.
Continuing, Olateju noted that “because the naira is now doing well against the dollar, it will be unreasonable for manufacturers to continue to sell the product at the old prices. I also believe that the federal government’s intervention and the threat to license more importers may have worked, leading to the reduction in price”.
In Enugu, the source reports that the product sells for between N7,200 and N7,500 depending on the brand and location.
“This is a city where the price of a 50kg bag went for as high as N12,000 and N13,000 in some cases in February and March”, Samuel Chikwendu said.
He added that the prices of other building materials, especially iron rods, have also dropped considerably which is why, he said, activities are picking up again at construction sites.
The story is slightly different in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, where Innocent Okonkwo told the source that low demand was also driving the price drop, adding that a 50kg bag was selling for N9,000 on the average in the state.
Sundry market observers are optimistic of further price reductions, but they remain cautious as manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers continue to play critical roles in setting prices for end-users.
They lamented, however, that despite Nigeria’s status as one of the largest producers of cement in Africa, the price of the product continues to rise, particularly in the face of high inflation impacting the building materials market generally.
Okpala in Abuja highlighted the variations arising from direct sourcing from manufacturers versus procurement through dealers, with traders holding old stocks selling products at prices ranging from N8,500, N8,300 to N8,000 per bag.
Lucy Nwachukwu, another dealer in Abuja, said the significance of  procurement volume in determining cement costs, noting that stability in prices has been observed over the past month, with the product retailing for between N7,000 and N7,800 depending on the brand.
In Port Harcourt also, a customer, Daniel Etteobong Effiong, said the price goes between N7500 to N8500, depending on the brand and the location one is buying from.

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