Improving Customs’ Core Mandate To Facilitate Ease Of Doing Business

Aside revenue generation, the other core objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), is to facilitate legitimate trade, suppress smuggling and ensure Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) at the country’s seaports, airports and land borders.

But, in the last seven years under the ex- Customs Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), the service abandoned their core mandate of trade facilitation and EoDB to focus mainly on revenue generation.

This singular act of the past administration of the service, was at the detriment of the nation’s economy as it affected business growth, and scare away investors’ to other neighbouring countries.

However, the appointment of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as the acting Comptroller General of Customs by President Bola Tinubu, on Monday 19th, June, 2023, however, brought an end to the era of anti-investment policies of the last Customs administration.

This was because investors, importers and clearing agents’ that have once lost confidence in the nation’s port and cargo clearance system return to do business in our Seaports and airports.

This was because, Adeniyi immediately after his appointment assured the president, Nigerians and potential investors of a more effective and innovation-driven service.

“In the last eight years, the NCS has gone through a period of transition; in some areas, we recorded progress – we made remarkable progress in e-Customs. We made a lot of breakthroughs in capacity building, but the NCS can still live to its full potential when we bring in more innovation to drive Customs operations.

Adeniyi further added that all encumbrances and other obstacles to trade facilitation will be dismantled while we  foster a new culture of consultation and compliance

He also stated that the service would leverage on technology and innovation to break new ground in its operations.

To this end, the acting CGC, have embarked on the following strides to reposition, reform and enhance revenue of the country.

Dissolution Of Ad-hoc Teams Inhibiting Trade Barriers At Seaports

As a mark of ensuring trade facilitation and promote best practices at the seaports, the acting Customs CG ordered the dissolution of CGC’s Strike Force Teams.

The ag. CGC equally directed the federal operation units of Customs to take over all the responsibilities of the dissolved units across the country.

The Ag. CGC gave the Federal Operation Units and other anti-smuggling formations a marching order to use all the instruments of law available to discharge their duties.

He also directed strict adherence to enshrined standard operating procedure and rules of engagement while dealing decisively with economic saboteurs.

“To ensure transparency and accountability, all anti-smuggling formations have also been mandated to boldly ascribe their names on all operational vehicles to checkmate the possibility of excesses, misconduct and human rights abuse.”

 

Assuring Foreign Investors Of Trade Facilitation, Ease of Doing Business

Departing from the old norms, the service under the acting CGC, Adeniyi, assured foreign investors of trade facilitation and Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), at all times.

Adeniyi said he will collaborate with foreign and domestic traders, stating that his main priority was to take proactive measures to facilitate trade.

He also assured the delegation of the service’s unflinching cooperation in opening doors for any investor that may wish to invest their business in Nigeria

“The Nigeria Customs Service is aware that you are investors, and you would want your investment to be protected as well as to yield some dividends. Thus, if we can achieve the objectives of your coming to Nigeria, then I consider this as a good starting – and it is going to be a win-win collaboration for the parties involved,” Adeniyi stated.

 

Battle Against Smuggling Yielded Impressive Result

The service acheived milestone in fight against smuggling have achieved impressive results as the service intercepted contrabands that serve as great risk to the country.

According to the acting CGG, “With a total of 1,763 seizures, valuing a substantial N11.9 billion in duty paid value, we have successfully intercepted various contraband items, including arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, substandard pharmaceuticals, and other prohibited goods that pose grave risks to our citizens.”

These seizures, Adeniyi said, accompanied by the apprehension of 62 suspects undergoing legal procedures, underscore the commitment to tackling smuggling and safeguarding the communities.

Notably, he said a significant surge in impactful seizures, especially involving arms, ammunition, and drugs, has occurred in the past two months, reinforcing its resolve to combat these illegal activities.

“We forged stronger alliances and fostered an environment of trust and cooperation among our stakeholders including the Public and Private sectors as well as our international partners

“We are on the verge of introducing multiple cutting-edge solutions to support our enforcement strategies starting with the signing of an MOU later today that seeks to put vehicle smugglers out of business for good.”

 

Suppressing Smuggling And Illicit Trade With Army, DSS Collaboration

To suppress smuggling and halt arm proliferation nationwide through the land borders, the ag CGC, visited the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Army to solicit their support and cooperation.

According to the acting CGC, maintaining mutual partnership between the two agencies would go a long way in enhancing national security.

 

“I hereby extend the Nigeria Customs Service’s friendly hands to solicit your support for better service to our dear country, which will intensify border security across the country,” he stated.

 

While visiting the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, the Customs boss, Customs commended the Nigerian Army’s efforts in combating the menace of insecurity in Nigeria, expressing the need for the two agencies to collaborate more in curbing smuggling and other border threats.

 

According to him, the seamless collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Army would provide the opportunity for the two agencies to work together and improve their expertise in the areas of fight against smuggling, counter-terrorism, intelligence and extending humanitarian support to the public.

 

Adeniyi also appreciated the long-existing relationship and formidable bond between the two agencies.

 

“We have collaborated in several missions that succeeded in curbing smuggling, hence the need to form a formidable force to fight against enemies of the state.

 

I wish to extend our sincere request to strengthen our ties to address the illegal inflow of dangerous goods and other threats to national sovereignty,” he said.

 

 

Generation Of N343bn Between July And August

 

The decision to facilitate legitimate trade and block revenue leakages have continued to yield positive results for the service as the acting CGC, last week said the service generated a whooping N343billion between July and August, 2023.

 

The revenue generated is unprecedented in the service and stakeholders attributed it to the reforms carried out by the acting CGC.

 

Adeniyi who said one of his early achievements has been a remarkable boost in monthly revenue collection, said, “We’ve witnessed a substantial increase, with an average monthly collection of N202 billion in the first half of the year that concluded in June, surging to an impressive N343 billion in the past two months (July and August).

This outstanding growth amounts to a remarkable 70.13 per cent increase in revenue collection.

“I’m delighted to announce that we’ve consistently exceeded the monthly target collection of 307 billion Naira, marking a remarkable departure from previous performances,” Adeniyi said.

 

He explained that the ongoing revenue recovery review activities have contributed an additional N8 billion during this period, underlining his commitment to revenue generation.

 

Subject to unforeseen circumstances, he said, the service’s aim is to sustain and even expand this momentum until the end of the year.

 

“This commitment is driven by our resolve to minimise the deviation from the target, especially in light of the substantial shortfalls recorded during the first half of the year,” he said.

 

 

Stakeholders Reaction

 

Stakeholders, however, applauded the giant strides of the acting CGC, saying he brought sanity and increased efficiency and effectiveness at the seaports.

 

Speaking, the Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Boniface Aniebonam, applauded the ag CGC for disbanding the strike force and other impediment to trade facilitation in the seaports.

 

He, however, called for same reform in alerts and other impediment to Customs processes.

 

“Adeniyi should visit the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA) and NAGAFF. These are the two frontline associations of freight forwarders where he can discuss revenue, suppression of smuggling activities, trade facilitation and other customs operations. However, I commend him on the disbandment of the CG strike force. The interventionist squad had abused the customs process under previous Customs administrations.

 

“We appreciate him for that. He should also take a very strong stance against avoidable trade alerts from different customs units.

This does not facilitate trade. He should coordinate and hamonise the alert system and I know as a listening officer, he shall look into this disturbing issue.

 

“He should also take a very strong exception to the wastage of human resources at the zonal offices as a core professional customs officer. The zonal offices of customs must be functional and proactive while the headquarters should be for policy formulation.There are lot to still be done.”

 

“However, his first 100 days in office are well and good but He should, however, contact critical stakeholders and partner them by using established platforms and reach out to the trading public,” Aniebonam stated.

 

Also speaking, a chieftain of the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Ada Akpunonu, said the emergency of Ag CGC, Adeniyi, has brought sanity and conviviality to the service.

 

“Wale is a professional customs officer and we all know his rich antecedents.

Unfortunately, he came at a time when Nigeria’s economy is in comatose. This will make his task a bit difficult. For instance, the exchange rate is too high and the Customs duties are equally high which have both combined to make goods clearance at the port very exorbitant.

 

The government should help Adeniyi to succeed by putting policies and programmes that are business-friendly and help to promote trade. Wale is a team player. He carries everyone along.

Through the deployment of his Area Controllers, he has shown the depth of his managerial acumen because his men at the Area Commands are square pegs in square holes. By the time he is confirmed as the CGC, he will perform wonders. The atmosphere in the customs now is that of conviviality and sanity,” she ended.