The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has said that it is coming up with a new electronic information system called -Time Release Studies; in order to ensure that cargoes are cleared from the port within 48hours.
According to the command, the ‘time release studies’ will comprise of data and electronic information that will enable stakeholders track the movement of their Single Goods Declaration (SGD) forms, right from date of submission to when the cargo is exited from customs system.
Speaking exclusively with Shipping Position Daily on the novel idea, Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Uche Ejesieme noted that this is a new innovation introduced by the new Customs Area Controller, Compt. Musa Baba.
Uche also told our correspondent that the command has been given an annual target of N354billion for 2018. This is higher than the N310billion yearly target of 2017.
Giving a breakdown of the figure, he said the command is expected to collect N29.5billion every month as against N25.8billion it was collecting in 2017.
He maintained that the Controller has ordered issuance of ‘Time Release Studies’ to provide information about daily movement of SGD forms to ensure that there are no hiccups, bottlenecks and bureaucracies in the clearance system.
He described it as a trade facilitation tool which will further exonerate the customs from any delay experienced by importers and clearing agents in the cause of taking delivery of their consignment
"The annual target for 2018 at Tin Can Island is N354.6billion, monthly is N29.5 billion this is higher than the target of 2017 which stood at N310billion with a monthly collection of N25.8billion"
"Don't forget that the Controller just assumed office few days ago, but as soon as he came onboard he called for an emergency meeting of all sectional heads, officers in charge of terminals, releasing officers, CIU, and valuation, these are very key officers"
"He already has a template for the realization of the figure, he mentioned it to everybody, and he is also planning to ensure that he shares the target to some of these terminals and to ensure that terminals on daily basis must submit their collections and interventions"
"There are people already on the system working hard to monitor all transactions, when they see infractions they flag it, there will be close monitoring of all transactions"
"We have equally going beyond that, the controller has also directed that there should be time release studies, this will provide information about daily movement of single goods declaration forms to ensure that there are no hiccups, bottlenecks and bureaucracies.
He has also told us that he wants practical facilitation of legitimate trade"
"It is not enough for you to say you are facilitating trade, but the public must see you facilitating trade. He also charged all releasing officers to always go for value check before releasing any consignment, there would be sanctions this time around if any infraction is noticed", he said.
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