Shippers Council, Customs to Collaborate on Trade Facilitation Efforts
*As Bello harps on benefits of Single Window implementation, scanners
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, has stressed the huge benefits of implementing Single Window in Nigeria as well as having in place scanners at the nation’s ports as deliberate measures to iimprove on trade facilitation.
Bello who said this during a courtesy visit to the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Rtd Col. Hammed Ali said everything that will encourage trade facilitation in the country was very important.
He called on the leadership of the Customs to consider as very imperative the provision of scanners in the port as part of trade facilitation.
According to him, provision of functional scanners was the only way to guarantee quick exit of goods out of the seaports.
He added that addressing the issues of infrastructure in the ports has a way of improving not just import trade but also export which according to him will all add to boost the national economy.
“We have become so import dependent that we have forgotten what export is. Export is very important so that we can earn foreign exchange.
“If we get our maritime industry correct, we get our trade facilitation, then we can finance our budget without even thinking of the oil.”
Ali had in his response said the Customs was ready to collaborate with the Council to sensitise stakeholders on the need to always comply with trade regulations.
He had expressed concerns about dishonesty on the part of importers in declarations, saying it has remained the biggest headache for the Customs.
According to Ali, “We need to sensitise our stakeholders on the importance of compliance. We have the habit of wanting to short change the government and the system.
“Our mentality on compliance is zero. So, a discourse on compliance will go a long way and we look forward to cooperating with you (NSC), to ensure that forum is organised to get our people aware.
“We must find a model for enforcing compliance, there must be sanctions, I think that is the only way to ensure compliance!’’
The customs boss disclosed that already the Service was making progress in the area of having a platform as E-Customs to ensure a paperless process in the system.
He disclosed that during a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as the Chairman of the Single Window Project, there was an agreement that the E-Custom would be the main platform for the Single Window.
According to him, “The idea is that, it will be a warehouse where everybody keys into for information and for transacting business in Nigeria.
“What is required for all other agencies including the Shippers Council is to develop their own technological platform and then key into the E-customs platform.
“All those already in our platform will be integrated into this, but it will require a lot of technology, it will require robust platforms for agencies to key into that system and use it successfully.”
He was of the view that the collaboration between the Customs and NSC should be fast tracked.
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