The Customs Area Controller of Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) terminal command, Mrs Modupeola Aremu has decried the lack of knowledge of some customs officers and clearing agents on the essence of the newly introduced Nigerian Customs Integrated System (NICIS) 2, saying that sensitisation of the new scheme is yet to circulate.
Are u stated this recently when members of the Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) led by one of it’s the then-presidential aspirants; Emenike Nwokeoji led his campaign team to her office.
The controller said that many officers from various commands including Lokoja have been calling that they do not know what NICIS is all about.
She noted that the NICIS platform which is meant to facilitate trade and reduce human contact in cargo clearance has been launched at PTML command and it is being supervised by DC Yusuf.
She said the launch which was preceded by training of the licensed customs agents on how the platform works had earlier been rolled out at the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) and would soon be launched in all the commands across the federation.
Aremu noted that the agents initially had problem grappling with the new platform which according to her may not be unconnected with age and other factors on the part of the agents admonishing the agents to embrace the NICIS, understand it and to know how to use it as she stated that without having the password, one could not clear goods at the command.
She said,” PTML is a model port; we rolled out NICIS on the 12th of February and I am sure most of you here were part of the training on the NICIS platform. My facilitator is here, we are at the stage of implementation and we know that agents are coming up on board gradually.
“Initially, it was a bit difficult for some of us, you know with age and everything therein. We have to change, we have to embrace NICIS, we have to understand it, we have to know how to use it because without having the passwords, you cannot clear your goods in PTML.
“So, I know this is just a forum to encourage us once again and announce it because when you talk to some people, they will tell you they don’t know what NICIS is. We have some of them calling from Lokoja, all over customs formations; they don’t know what NICIS is. I think you need to take the message down because your followers need to know what NICIS is.
“NICIS is going to go everywhere very soon, it has been done in KLT and they are just finishing with PTML, it is going to go all over. So, we have to understand it, we have to change, you know it’s a new thing and we have to move with the change”.
While congratulating Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji for his courage to run for the highest office in ANLCA, she prayed that the best man would win the election.
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