Customs Tackles Courier Delays, Targets Revenue Growth At Lagos Airport

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Area Command, has moved to address delays in courier parcel clearance and boost revenue generation following engagements with major courier operators and private aviation companies in Lagos.

The acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Jacob Onele, said the command would work with stakeholders to resolve operational challenges, improve compliance with customs regulations and facilitate legitimate trade.

Customs Intercepts 22,175 Litres Of PMS, Auctions Products Worth N32.2m

Customs Boss Pledges Tougher Anti-Smuggling Operations In South-West

Customs Repatriates Baby Gorilla After 3 Years In Nigeria

Onele stated this during a familiarisation tour of courier facilities and private hangars under the command’s supervision on Thursday.

The tour covered Aramex, United Parcel Service (UPS), FedEx, DHL and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), where the acting controller interacted with company representatives, customs officers and other personnel to understand the challenges affecting their operations.

At the courier facilities, discussions focused on operational bottlenecks associated with the recently introduced Unified Customs Clearance System, B’Odogwu, as well as delays in the presentation of imported parcels for customs assessment.

The engagements provided an opportunity for courier operators and customs personnel to present their concerns directly to the new controller and discuss possible solutions to improve clearance processes.

Responding to the issues raised, Onele assured the stakeholders that he would do everything within his capacity to resolve the challenges, adding that matters beyond his authority would be escalated to the Customs Service headquarters for appropriate intervention.

He also urged courier companies to address delays in presenting imported parcels to customs officers for assessment, stressing that timely presentation was necessary for faster clearance and seamless trade facilitation.

The acting controller called on the operators to take proactive measures to eliminate avoidable delays, noting that improved coordination between courier companies and customs officers would support efficient service delivery and revenue generation.

Management representatives of the courier companies welcomed the visit and pledged to strengthen their collaboration with the command.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to complying with existing laws and regulations, improving operational cooperation and supporting the government’s revenue drive.

Onele expressed satisfaction with the reception and cooperation extended to him and his team, commending the operators for their willingness to work with the command to improve service delivery.

“I appeal to courier company managements to take proactive measures to address challenges associated with the unnecessary delays of imported parcels before being presented to Customs for assessment.

“There is also need for compliance to ensure speedy processing for seamless trade facilitation,” he stated.

Beyond revenue generation and cargo clearance, the controller raised concerns about the working conditions of customs officers deployed to some courier facilities.

He urged the operators to provide conducive and habitable office spaces for the officers, noting the need for an appropriate working environment to support effective service delivery.

“I also urge some of the operators to improve the working conditions of the Customs Officers deployed to their facilities, particularly by ensuring that their offices are conducive and habitable for effective service delivery,” he said.

The familiarisation tour subsequently extended to private aviation facilities, beginning with ExecuJet at Legend, followed by Nest Aviation and Afrijet.

The visits provided opportunities for further engagement with operators in the private aviation sector on compliance, operational oversight and cooperation with the command.

The command said the exercise reflected Onele’s commitment to strengthening stakeholder relations, improving officers’ welfare, enhancing revenue generation and facilitating legitimate trade in line with existing laws and regulations.