The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the capturing and processing of single goods declaration (SGD) on the indigenously developed B’Odogwu platform at the Tin Can Island Port.

NCS said the successful deployment of the platform aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to enhance the ease of doing business.The service said it also marks a significant milestone in trade facilitation, transparency and operational efficiency at the nation’s seaports.

Unveiling the platform at the command, the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Command, Frank Onyeka, stated that the development underscores the Service’s readiness to adopt technology that streamlines cargo clearance procedures, reduces dwell time and improves service delivery.

“The B’Odogwu platform has shown great promise, and we are proud to be pioneers in its implementation,” he said. Onyeka further revealed that the command has achieved 100 per cent network infrastructure coverage across all terminals at the seaport.

He noted that issues related to network failure are now a thing of the past, thereby ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient processing of cargo and trade documentation.

The CAC explained that the B’Odogwu platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing Customs systems, providing a user-friendly interface for declarants, brokers, and other stakeholders.

The platform, he said, would enhance cargo tracking, document processing and compliance management in real time, significantly reducing manual bottlenecks and the potential for delays at the seaport.

The Customs boss also noted that the launch was preceded by a series of extensive training sessions and stakeholder engagements organised by the command in collaboration with the system’s developers.

According to him, key industry participants, including shipping lines, Customs-licensed agents, terminal operators, and Customs officers, participated in these capacity-building initiatives.

He said the training sessions were designed to ensure the seamless adoption of the new platform and covered critical areas such as system navigation, document processing, cargo tracking and compliance protocols.