NCS pledges to automate port operations by 2025

THE Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has revealed that from next year, most port operations will be automated, as they will switch to the use of sophisticated electronic scanners.

Speaking at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) Ministerial Export consultation with key sectoral stakeholders held at the Civic Centre, Lagos, yesterday, the customs boss said he is aware that the issue of manual scanning has long been a problem at the ports, severely affecting both import and export trade activities.

“Having listened to all stakeholders on the challenges they face regarding exports, our eyes are open and we have seen the potential, as well as the issues in this sector.”

Calling for unity from all relevant stakeholders to bring the country’s export ambitions to fruition, he said this is the only way to turn Nigeria into a big trade hub in the region and beyond. He said the challenges mentioned have called them to action, adding that the NCS will no longer emphasise imports at the expense of exports, adding that they now have a dedicated command for exports.
Adeniyi said: “Henceforth, we will no longer allow our processes and procedures to constitute an impediment in the development of Nigeria’s exports. We will never allow corruption and corrupt practices to stand in the way of export development in Nigeria.

“Another important thing is the issue of the AfCFTA implementation. When we launched the Guided Trade Into (GTI) earlier this year, I learned that some exporters in the pilot scheme faced issues in the receiving country. Those who participated in that GTI pilot told us that the products were given expedited export clearance in Ghana, but on getting to the receiving country, there were issues with market access, port procedures and so on.”

He said one customs administration cannot address the export issues since what is export clearance here in Lagos would be import clearance in the receiving country.

He added that he made a promise to rally the support of all customs administrations in Africa to ensure they support the implementation of AfCFTA.

He added: “In Q1 2025, I will push for and be willing to host a meeting of all African customs administrations to specifically address AfCFTA’s implementation.

“In simple terms, we understand that our GDP and the value of our local currency is determined by how much we trade. When we export, we should get FX, something is not adding up. We have to further discuss this with the apex bank and exporters. As exports grow, we should see the effects on the Naira’s value, positively. It is not a good look if only our exporters are smiling to the bank; that means something is wrong somewhere. Combined with improved crude production and strengthened exports, these two should be able to attract enough FX into the country that will boost the Naira’s value.”