In readiness for the July 3rd take-off date for the commencement of electronic auctioning of seized cargoes, the Nigeria Customs Service has kicked-off a five-day training programme for its officers on how to operate the system.
The customs have also started the implementation of shift operations in compliance with the executive order recently issued by the government that the ports should run 24 hours.
Shipping Position Daily correspondent at port yesterday sighted a letter dated 15th June 2017, signed by the Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of Modernization and ICT, Benjamin Aber and addressed to all Customs Areas Controller mandating them to release the concerned officers for the training.
The training is billed to commence at the ICT Training room at Customs headquarters, Abuja.
The letter with reference number; NCS/HQS/S.07/Vol 2 states that after the training exercise, the officers would be deployed as ‘Admin and on-site Admin’ to operate the e-auction system.
The letter reads in part: "The ICT department has resolved to begin with a pilot implementation of e-auction project. This is to ensure smooth take off on 3rd July 2017 as directed by management
In view of this, officers of the ICT division would now be deployed as Admin and on site Admin to facilitate seamless execution”.
The training is scheduled to take between 19th and 23rd June, 2017 in Abuja.
Also speaking with journalists at a function in Apapa on Tuesday, Customs Area Controller in charge of PTML Terminal; Mrs. Adeyanju Aremu said that shift operation has commenced.
She confirmed that: "24 hours operations is starting from Apapa port and Apapa port is presently working on a shift system to ensure that officers are always on ground to meet the 24 hours cargo clearance requirements”.
Speaking on delays in the clearance process, she said that delays are not caused by Customs but by importers through improper declaration.
"If your declarations are correct, goods are released within six hours, it is only when you have infractions that you have to go back to the bank to pay more"
Also, Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Customs, Mr. Bashir Yussuf has issued a directive to officers in regards to shift operations at the command.
Bashir had issued a directive mandating all Unit Heads of his command to map out their strategies in implementing the 24 hours port operations in the command.
A source from the command said that, the CAC directive is among others, to prepare for shifts that will put officers on duty 24hrs round the clock.
Meanwhile, acting President of the National association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Mr. Increase Uche has called for proper education of officers who will be involved in the process.
Speaking to Shipping Position daily yesterday, he stated that one of the challenges that the process might encounter is that some officers are not computer literate enough, even as he called for support towards the idea.
He also advised that proper attention should be paid to internet fraudsters so that people will not fall into their trap.
According to him, “there is no system that is infallible, so the only thing I will advise is for support to the new process if it is meant to bring the mind-set of the government, it is good. The idea that it might be hacked by yahoo guys cannot be completely ruled out. Also looking at the fact that most customs officers are not computer literate can also pose some dangers. But all the same, there is no fear those who are interested should apply” he concluded.
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