By Joshua Yousouph
The Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has charged members of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to embrace the benefits of automation.
This charge was made on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by both National and PTML Chapter executives of NAGAFF to the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command in Lagos.
While addressing the association executives, the CAC of the Command, Comptroller Suleiman Bomai noted that the 21st Century Customs operations are fully-digitalized and automated, adding that the NCS have automated over 60 percent of its operations.
Bomai informed that in recent times, the service has been initiating new ideas, such as trying to upgrade from the extant fast track regime to the fast track 2.0. According to him, this implies that once a product is imported and taken without examination, the Service will not run after the importer for follow-up. Rather the service would only write the importer about only two times a year to audit the End-to-end commercial documents. He said this will reduce the congestion at the ports.
While commending members of NAGAFF for their compliance to sincere declaration and other Customs laws, Bomai however charged them to desist for generating VIN valuation of non-standard vehicles outside the system, adding that the valuation of non-standard vehicles will soon be standardised on the VIN valuation platform.
He also called for continued formal and informal engagement with the command in order to get feedback on customs operations and bridge the gaps.
“If you observe in recent times, we have been initiating new products. We last was trying to upgrade the fast-track regime from extant fast track regime to the fast track 2.0 and we sensitised you to key in.
“The implication of this is that once a product is imported and you carry it without examination and use it, we would not run after you to follow up. We will only write you probably two times a year to audit your end-to-end commercial documents. This will reduce the congestion in the port as the port is not a place for storage”, he said.
Some of the agents capitalise on the gaps of the VIN valuation to generate valuation outside the system. The non-standard VIN valuation will equally be automated. Believe me, if we are doing the right thing, the layers of control in the Nigeria Customs will fizzle out. But if the results of the layers of control are tripping in and huge, the executive arm will insist they continue’, he added.
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Speaking earlier, the National President of NAGAFF, Chief Tochuku Ezisi noted that the reason for the courtesy visit was to introduce the newly elected chapter executive members of the association in order to build a working relationship with the command.
While appreciating the Customs Controller for his past support and contribution to the growth of the association, Ezisi called for the continued support for smooth implementation of trade facilitation and legitimate business at the port.
“We deem it fit for this visit to familiarise with your office. You have been an old friend and the collaboration between Customs and NAGAFF has been so cordial. We are also here to introduce the newly-elected PTML executives of the association, so that you can know them for better interfacing and relationship” Ezisi noted.
Also speaking, the newly-elected Chairman of NAGAFF, PTML chapter, Mr Thomas Alor pledged the support of the executives and the entire members of chapter, adding that all customs laws and policies will be strictly adhered to amidst constant engagements with the management of the Command.
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