INTRODUCTION
Tincan Island Port is one of the key ports in the country. TCIP Customs Command is charged and entrusted with the responsibilities of revenue generation and accounting for same, suppression of smuggling, promotion/facilitation of trade and enforcement of the fiscal/monetary policies of the federal government. It is in the realization of the foregoing that deliberate and concerted efforts were formulated for the realization of these onerous task.
REVENUE PERFORMANCE
The command, during the period under review year 2019 generated a total of Three Hundred and Forty Six Billion, Five Hundred and Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty Six Naira and Fifty Four Kobo (N346,508,836,486.54) and remitted same into the federation account. You will recall that the command was given a target of Three Hundred and Forty Two Billion, Three Hundred and Six Million, Eighty Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety Six Naira and Sixty Three Kobo (N342,306,080,496.63).
ANTI-SMUGGLING
The command during the year under review 2019 strengthened it’s anti-smuggling operations for optimal performance. Consequently, the command effected a total seizure of 16x40ft, 37x20ft (53 containers) and 3 non-containerized Cargoes. The seizures includes rice, used tyres, pharmaceuticals, vegetable oil, military accoutrements e.t.c with a total DPV of Five Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Six Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty Naira (N5,876,465,640.00). If compared with 2018 seizures, it indicates a recorded improvement from the seizures of 14x40ft, 2x20ft (16 Containers) and 5 uncontainerised others ranging from bales of second hand clothing, furniture, children toys, used bags and shoes, expired medicaments, used tyres, used fridges e.t.c with a total DPV of Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Three Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N2,883,531,500.00) recorded during the prevailing year of 2018.
EXPORT
The command also embarked on sensitization of stakeholders and would be exporters on the need to take advantage of the potentials inherent in export. To this effect, the command recorded an increase in the quantity of export in 2019.
Generally speaking, the command exported items with a total tonnage of Two Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Nineteen Point Five (269,819.5) Tons with a total FOB value of One Hundred and Thirty Billion, One Hundred and Eighty Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty One Naira (N130,186,894,481.00) in 2019 as against the total tonnage of Two Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand, Seven Hundred Sixty Two Point Seventy Seven (254,762.77) Tons with a total FOB value of One Hundred and Forty Five Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty Two Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety Six Naira (N145,322,990,396.00) exported in 2018. The command will continue to sensitize and encourage export as a means of attaining balance of trade for the interest of the Nation.
TRADE FACILITATION
Trade facilitation is a key component of the building blocks of the World Customs Organization arising from the KYOTO Convention and the SAFE framework of standard, other international treaties of Customs administrations and World Trade Organization (WTO). This is further domesticated with the presidential directive on ease of doing business initiative.
As an eloquent testimony and our renewed enthusiasm to enhance our efficiency, the Command, during the period under reference, articulated various Trade Facilitation initiatives, which have been instituted as part of our Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) including the use of barge for movement of cargo.
Accordingly, the Command developed a more cordial working relationship with the Critical Stakeholder through constant Engagement.
Similarly, a re-invigorated Dispute Resolution Committee was constituted to deal expeditiously with disputes arising from Valuation, Classification, PAAR, Rules of Origin
etc. Importers or their Agents are encouraged to take advantage of the availability of Bond facility to take delivery of their consignments where disputes persisted.
Further to the above is the “TIME RELEASE STUDIES” a means of assessing the performance of officers in the 48hours Cargo Clearance Trade Value Chain, with the aim of identifying areas of avoidable delays by the personnel and ways of forestalling it.
Added to these is a re-engineered help desk, domiciled in the office of the PRO, where inquiries are channeled and when such inquiries are beyond the scope of the PR Unit, it is escalated to the CAC.
The last but not the least is the ONE STOP SHOP – a facility where all alerts/interventions emanating from Q & A, CIU, Valuation, compliance/strike force would be synchronized with a bid to ensuring that issues are resolved without going through unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks.
CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAINING
As part of measures to increase the efficiency and capacity of the operations, the Command took steps to develop a training curriculum that is germane to the operations of the Service. Some of the trainings includes but not limited to Data Analysis, NICIS II Awareness, Skill GAP and Profiling Training, End-User Certificate Requirements and Documents, Bond Seat Training, Valuation and Classification Courses etc.
In the light of the above, another set of newly promoted 13 Deputy Comptrollers and 13 Assistant Comptrollers in the Command, are currently undergoing a training programme that is targeted at familiarizing them with their new schedules and developing the needed skill sets, such trainings will remain regular.
CHALLENGES
The command, while basking in the euphoria of the remarkable achievements, is not isolated from challenges which limited its operations in terms of Revenue etc. Part of the major challenge we had is the issue of poor access and road infrastructure, lack of Government Warehouse facility, non availability of operational equipment by the Terminal Operators among others, lack of scanners. Similarly to the above was the removal of some Terminals that were hitherto under the Command, this affected the volume of cargo handled by the Command and by implication the revenue accruable to the command.
These and many more contributed to the operational limitations, absence of which the Command would have achieved even more. The importance of conducive working environment cannot be over emphasized.
CONCLUSION
Finally, I wish to pay tribute to the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali Rtd and members of his management for their tremendous support with the provision of appropriate softwares (NICIS II) and hardwares, working tools, vehicles etc and leadership which no doubt put us on our toes. We promise not to renege on our responsibilities as we intend to strive for more efficiency and effectiveness. We will not let our guards down,
having realized the enormity of the task ahead. The command is at the vanguard of this drive and have developed strategies for the actualization of the mandate. To this effect we must give kudos to the stakeholders, particularly the various freight forwarding groups for their support to the command. The command will continue to cherish the contributions of our patriotic and compliant stakeholders while urging non compliant stakeholders to toe the line of patriotism.
In the same vein, may I specially commend the media, who as the watch dog of the society, have always supported the service and command through thick and thin. We appreciate the fact that there are few operational gaps, but we are consoled by the fact that our actions have degraded and decimated the activities of those who are best known for circumventing the fiscal policies.
Similarly, the role of NPA, Security Agencies (DSS, POLICE, NDLEA) and those of the regulatory agencies (NAFDAC, SON and NESREA) must be commended. They collaborated with the Service as the lead agency in the port. We will seek ways of strengthening the collaboration/synergy in the New Year.
May I also commend the officers and men of the command for their commitment during the period under review. This no doubt led to the monumental success.
MBA MUSA
Customs Area Controller
TCIP
Goods: Schedule 4 The Importation of which is Absolutely Prohibited
The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service has again been drawn to the unrepentant activities of internet fraudsters despite several scam alerts by NCS.
Recent activities of these elements show criminal ingenuity, presenting fake platforms that appears seemingly genuine to deceive and extort unsuspecting applicants that the Service has released short-listed names for recruitment examination/interview.
For the umpteenth time, NCS wishes to state that these recruitment websites/platforms are fake and should not be patronized.
Members of the public will recall that we denied several similar fake vacancies advertisement with a promise to properly inform the public whenever we are ready. A promise we kept by advertising the vacancies in seven (7) National newspapers.
NCS is again warning against patronage of any release of short-listed candidates with a promise of letting successfully short-listed candidates know through their email addresses and telephone numbers soon.
Additionally, such official release will be news item in all NCS programmes on TV and Radio stations. (Note that the internet fraudsters don’t normally use the TV and Radio).
Accordingly, all applicants are advised to disregard any invitation for recruitment examination/interview and wait patiently for the official release and invitation from the Service, please.
Signed:
DC, Joseph Attah
Public Relations Officer
Following public complaints, questions and commentaries on the Nigeria Customs Service e-auction platform which was officially launched on the 3rd of July 2017 by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd).
The Service wishes to make some clarifications especially as the inability of other commercial banks to hook up to the platform is creating inconveniences that could lead to wrong perception that pinges on the integrity of the process.
Consequently, the Nigeria Customs Service wishes to state as follows:
– That all the 23 Customs duty collecting banks were carried along, properly trained in the process.
– When the platform was developed, it was subjected to user acceptability test with all the banks including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
– Throughout this period, no bank indicated any problem with the platform.
However, upon launch of the platform https://app1.trade.gov.ng/eauction only Jaiz Bank was discovered to be ready and active on the platform.
In the light of the above, the Service immediately wrote a letter to all the designated banks requesting them to “integrate with the e-auction application for the recharging of e-wallet” same day 3rd July 2017.
On Wednesday 5th July 2017 another letter was sent to CBN expressing the need for the Apex bank to confirm the readiness of Commercial Banks under its supervision to perform their roles in the process to ensure the success of the project.
While we are being told that other banks are making frantic efforts to sort out whatever technical problem that is to hook up to the platform, this clarification is necessary to correct whatever wrong insinuation that could be generated as a result of having only one bank presently on the platform.
Despite the initial hitches, the Service is happy to announce that the first 48 hours bidding period, Monday 12 noon to Wednesday 12 noon produced 43 winners.
Items uploaded were 130 vehicles, 43 bided for and won.
While 282 people registered, 268 were enabled with 245 able to generate e-wallet assessment. Out of 177 that recharged their e-wallets, 68 bided and 43 emerged as winners.
The second round of bidding starts today Monday 10th July 2017 and will stop at 12 noon on Wednesday 12th July 2017.
While looking forward to seeing more banks hook to the platform and ease the process for bidders, we wish to assure the general public of the Service determination to ensure that the transparent and accountable e-auction process succeeds.
The Service resolve is motivated by the core benefits of generating more revenue for the Federal Government while providing equal opportunities to all Nigerians.
Joseph Attah
Deputy Comptroller of Customs
Public Relations Officer
For: Comptroller-General of Customs
By Joseph Attah
One of the most crucial functions of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is the promotion and facilitation of trade and competitiveness. We will be the first to admit that the reality at the Nigerian ports is challenging and can be improved upon.
Depending on who one asks, what you are likely to hear is that, export processes average between two (2) and three (3) weeks in Nigeria, compared to only four (4) days in Kenya etc. Nigeria requires up to fourteen (14) documents for imports, compared to just five (5) in Rwanda. Factors like these are responsible for the country’s lowly rank of 14th out of 15 ECOWAS economies and 182nd out of 190 economies worldwide in the “Trade Across Borders” indicator on the most recent World Bank “Doing Business” Rankings.
Nigeria’s desire to restore growth through economic diversification, as enunciated in the recently released Economic Growth and Recovery Plan (EGRP) of the Federal Government requires a holistic reformist approach. Reforming procedures is required to stimulate important sectors of the Nigerian economy like agriculture and manufacturing, which contribute 23.1 and 13.3 percent respectively to its Gross Domestic Product.
On February 21, 2017, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd.), was among several heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who gathered at the Conference Room of His Excellency, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) for the launch of the 60-Day National Action Plan on Ease of Doing Business by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
As a key stakeholder in the FG’s quest to make businesses work, the NCS joined other MDAs in making commitments towards delivering reforms that would progressively make it easier for businesses in Nigeria to start and thrive. Our commitments at the NCS are focused on “Trade Across Borders”, where a target was set to reduce import and export time by up to 50 percent, and ensure that import procedures adhere to international standards.
A major first step was taken to achieve the target when the Department of Home Finance of the Federal Ministry of Finance revised Nigeria’s Import and Export Guidelines following a directive from the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to streamline current procedures.
The Guidelines addresses some of the issues causing inefficiency and delays at the ports. Several of the newly inserted clauses in the Guidelines relate directly to the operations of the NCS. I will attempt to explain the stipulations and implications of the revised Guidelines in this piece as it pertains to the NCS.
The NCS is now required to schedule and coordinate the Mandatory Joint Examinations and sign-off Form to ensure that there is only one point of contact between importers and officials.
Before this intervention, the burden was on importers to reach out to all relevant agencies and the Terminal Operator to schedule a suitable time for the joint examination of cargo. We have however decided to take this tedious process off the backs of the importers and coordinate same.
Similarly, the minimum cargo placement notice time for examination required by Terminal Operators has been reduced from twenty four (24) hours to a maximum of twelve (12) hours. This means that after the NCS agrees with all parties on a suitable time for physical examination, Terminal Operators now only require a twelve (12) hour notice to place the cargo for examination.
Under the revised Guidelines, Shipping Lines are required to electronically transmit advanced manifest of their cargoes to the NCS and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as soon as the vessel departs the last port of call – this is to ensure there is enough time for risk assessment, profiling and optimised placement of cargo. NCS Officers will then circulate the cargo manifests to other examination agencies and the Terminal Operators as soon as same are received from the Shipping Lines. Shipping Lines which fail to transmit the advanced cargo manifest may be denied berthing rights.
The above guideline is critical because one major reason for delays at the ports is the less than optimal cargo placement and offloading processes. Most times, Terminal Operators are unaware of the contents of a container and are thus unable to determine if same requires physical examination or not. With prior knowledge of contents, Terminal Operators can ensure that containers which do not need physical examination and would consequently require less time to offload are placed ahead of those that will require examination in order to prevent delays and pileup of cargo.
Another reason for the delays at the ports during the import process is the haphazard manner in which goods are packed in containers. Different types of goods are just dumped in the container and imported into Nigeria, slowing the pace of physical examination and making it impossible for modern equipment to be used to examine containers.
To solve that problem, Shipping Lines are now required to ensure that imports into Nigeria are well arranged in pallets. Shipping Lines which fail to “palletise” cargo will be sanctioned and and maybe asked to take back on board the non-palletised cargo.
Even beyond the 60-Day Plan, which came to a close on April 21, 2017, the NCS is already collaborating with other stakeholders to further reform the import and export processes. Our efforts are strengthened by the complete support of the Federal Government, through the PEBEC, chaired by His Excellency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the Federal Ministry of Finance; and other stakeholders.
Reduction of documents required for the import and export process will continue to engage the attention of relevant authorities in recognition of the fact that Nigeria presently requires more documents than most of its peers.
Finally, the on going move by FG towards the establishment and launch of a National Single Window (NSW) will contribute to the attainment of seamless interface by all stakeholders in the import and export chains. It will achieve an electronic, one-stop shop portal for Nigeria’s cargo clearance procedures.
The strong steering committee co-chaired by the Comptroller General of the NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) and the Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman demonstrates government’s desire to entrench more business friendly environment for importers, exporters and investors wishing to do manufacturing business in Nigeria.
We intend to show Nigerian exporters and importers through our actions that the NCS is not just a “tax-collecting” agency, but a progressive partner determined to make it quicker, cheaper and easier for exporters and importers to trade and carry out their legitimate business operations through the Nigerian ports.
Attah, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs and Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Customs Service writes from Abuja
After repeated tests of the e-auction platform Nigeria Customs is now set to deploy the e-auction portal on the 1st of july 2017.
The portal is now fully networked to designated banks to ensure money accruing from the auction gets to the Central bank of Nigeria Treasury Single Account for transparency and accountability.
After receiving the report, the Comptroller General of Customs ,Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali(Rtd) directed the auction committee to ensure that only proper pictures of the goods as well as detailed information about each are uploaded to avoid and misgiving. He further stressed the need for more weeks to enable interested members of the public to obtain their Tax identification numbers (TIN) from the federal inland revenue before the commencement date .
The platform which is highly interactive will only give access to holders of TIN. Such tax payers will log in, read the guidelines, pay the non refundable one thousand auction fee and proceed to bid for the items on auction.
Recall that the CGC resumed duty in 2015 with a three pronged Presidential mandates of Restructure, Reform and seek ways of raising revenue.
Manual auction was identified as non competitive and opened to abuses hence it was suspended.
The committee set up has now developed an e-auction platform that is secured transparent and guarantees equal opportunities to all Nigerians.
All interested persons are therefore advised to get ready by obtaining their Tax identification numbers issued by Federal Inland Revenue
