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NCS Consolidates Modernisation Project For Trade Facilitation

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1 year ago

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Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has convened a steering committee meeting as part of measures to consolidate on previous gains achieved in the implementation of the Nigeria Customs Service Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), aimed at enhancing trade facilitation.
The CGC, who addressed TMP Steering Committee during a closed-door meeting held at the Customs corporate headquarters in Abuja last Thursday, disclosed that the project is geared towards achieving end-to-end automation of the processes and procedures of the Service.
“The Trade Modernisation 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 & Handbook, covering Technology Upgrades and Enhanced Capacity Building”, he said.
The project, The Tide gathered, has been identified as a milestone, as it highlights the significance of digitisation for transparency, efficiency and effectiveness.
According to him, it sets the stage for adapting to evolving market dynamics in trade, optimising operations and procedures, and creating new pathways to unlock revenue streams.
Addressing the members of the NCS TMP Steering Committee, the CGC reiterated that the project is designed to last for 20 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 that 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”.
He emphasised that the team, as it stands, has a solid foundation that will assist them in reviewing the implementation of progressive decisions.
Chairman of the Trade Modernisation Project Limited, Saleh Ahmadu reiterated his 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 for 2024. He also expressed optimism that the steering committee would strive to overcome its everyday challenges.

Meanwhile, the Senate, Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, has approved a total of N5.079 trillion as revenue target and N706.4 billion as budget for the Service for the 2024 fiscal year.

The approval for the sum of N5.079 trillion revenue target and N706.4 billion annual budget followed consideration of a report presentation by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Excise, and Tariff, Jibrin Isah (APC-Kogi), at the plenary last Thursday.

Addressing the plenary, Isah highlighted personnel costs at N225.99 billion and overhead costs at N111.76 billion, representing 31.99 and 15.82 percent of the budget.

“Also, ongoing capital projects stood at N148.42 billion while new projects, which represents 52.19 percent, earmarked for N220.26 billion”, he said.

Providing a breakdown of the budget, he added that the timely rollout of the 2024 fiscal policy would enable the Service to commence implementation promptly.

In his words, “As part of Customs strategy, the provision of the flexible window will help curb illegally imported vehicles and ensure the proper collection of expected import duties and 25 percent penalty charge from such category of transactions.

“Mechanisms such as systems audit, real-time auditing, post clearance auditing, institution of revenue recovery committee and other intelligence gathering tools will ensure intensive revenue recovery drive”.

The revised penalties and charges in the new Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which he noted, will improve the service’s revenue generation.

On anti-smuggling and cargo tracking, the committee Chairman stated that the service looks forward to collaboration with the Nigerian Shippers Council and other relevant government agencies to decongest and achieve efficient, effective port operations, which would yield more revenue.

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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