Customs records 273,148 PAAR issuance in 2014

THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) issued 273,148 Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) documents out of 291,156 applications received in 2014.

   This was disclosed yesterday by NCS Comptroller-General, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, Monday during the celebration of 2015 International Customs Day with the theme: “Coordinated border management, an inclusive approach for connecting stakeholders”.

   He pointed out that PAAR had delivered on promise of generating revenue to government within the first of its implementation by the service.

   The Comptroller-General said the successful implementation the PAAR scheme resulted in the collection of N977.09 billion revenue into the federation and non-federation accounts in 2014, saying that the revenue represented an improvement over the N833.39 billion collected in 2013.

     “Within the first year anniversary of PAAR, we have succeeded in bringing all stakeholders together in management of international trade.

   “Exporters, importers, duty collection banks, customs agents, DTI operators,terminal operators, shippers, air carriers as well as other partner agencies of government are all connected to the PAAR platform.

   “In 2014, we received 29,156 applications, out of which a total of 273,148 was issued while a total of N977.09 billion was collected into federation and non-federation account, an improvement over the 2013 total revenue of N833.39 billion,” he said.

   The CGC, while commending the cooperation of all stakeholders, solicited further cooperation from them to attain a full coordinated border management.

   In his goodwill message, the Secretary General, Kuniyo Mikuriya, World Customs Organisation (WCO), urged border agencies to unite, to strengthen connectivity among all border stakeholders.

   Mikuriya said that Coordinated Border Management (CMB) would result in better service delivery, less duplication, cost-savings through economies of scale and fewer but better targeted interventions.

  He said that customs administrations had long supported the notion that applying the principle of CBM would enable the multiple public service functions undertake at borders to be successful.

   According to him, successful border management will lead to an improved investment climate, an enhanced trading environment and increased economic growth.

   “Under the umbrella of the WCO, customs administrations have produced numerous instruments and tools to support better CBM such as coordinated border opening hours, performing joint control and setting up of juxtaposed customs offices.

   “Integrating stand-alone border agency systems into one unified single window system is a core principle of CBM.

   “The WCO Single Window Compendium provides guidance to customs on the policy, legal and technology elements of such systems,” he said.

  Mikuriya, however, enjoined all WCO members to share information on their CBM vision, model that they have put in place and efforts to harmonise, streamline and simplify border management system across all border agencies.

   David Paradang, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), said the theme depicted a serious synergy between NIS and the customs.

   Parading pledged to continue to collaborate with NCS on joint border patrol to ensure that the nation’s borders were effectively managed and create environment conducive for investments to thrive in the country.

   He commended the customs for its supports for NIS in the areas of border activities and training of its officers.