Seme Customs Command Unfolds Plans to Improve on Trade Facilitation, Revenue Generation
TIMI BOMODI, CUSTOMS AREA CONTROLLER, SEME
*Many not aware Seme Border fully open for business – Customs Controller
* Plans to link NCS, Benin Customs platforms for free flow of data underway
* Nigeria Customs may use Benin tariff for goods on transit
By Francis Ugwoke
The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed optimism of improving on trade facilitation and revenue generation soon with ongoing strategic efforts to ensure there is a rise in activities in the border post.
The border post which was shut down along with others over two years ago is still battling with the effect in terms of trading activities.
This has impacted negatively on the revenue of the Command as it recorded N2.6bn between January and May this year following low imports.
The revenue for the five months was even an improvement with what was generated in the Command during the same period last year.
Although the border is now open for full operation, not many traders are aware of this, a development that has led to poor traffic.
But the Controller of the Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi said that there is hope for an improvement in trade and revenue generation from the Command.
Bomodi told SHIPPING DAY in an exclusive chat that every effort is being made to ensure that trade facilitation improves in the border post, adding that issues affecting trade are being tackled at the highest level of government.
The Controller disclosed that one of the major complaints has been that those who use the joint border post in terms of imports complain of unnecessary high charges in Benin Republic.
According to him, the Comptroller General of the Customs, Bashir Wale Adeniyi and the Finance Minister had taken up the issue with the Benin Republic Government.
He told SHIPPING DAY, “One of the major complaints we have had from people that use the joint border post in terms of imports is that at the other side in Benin, they are faced with unnecessary high charges.
“The Comptroller General of Customs and at some point the Minister of Finance held meetings with officials from Benin at the highest level to address some of these issues”.
Bomodi also disclosed that there are plans to link the NCS platform with that of the Benin to allow free flow of data.
He added that once this is done, among other adjustments, there will be the need to use their tariff for goods on transit.
He said, “We are also addressing issues of harmonization of our operating system which will be to link the NCS platform with that of the counterpart in Benin in such a way that data freely flows between us.
“Once these platforms are harmonized and once we see that there is a level of adjustments that accommodate the needs of traders in Nigeria, we will be using their tariffs for goods in transit”.
He added, “ We are likely going to see a rise in activities. We are also hoping that through the wisdom of government the restriction previously placed on importation of used vehicles may be lifted. And if that is done, we are positive it will have great impact on our revenue generation. So, all these are things in the works that once they come to fruition, will impact on our revenue generation”.
The Customs Controller also pointed out that one of the issues affecting trade in Seme is that not many people are aware that the Command has now been fully opened after the closure years back.
He said, “ you know since the closure of the border, we have not returned to full operations at the joint border post. It is understandable because it is a lot easier to shut it down than it is to restart it. So, it is a gradual process. A lot of people are still not aware that this border is open for full operations.
“ By full operations, I mean that every activity that takes place in the port right now except the importation of used vehicles can also take place at the joint border posts.
“So, it is this awareness we want to bring to members of the public that we are open for business. We have the officers here, we have the equipment that will enable us to facilitate all kinds of trade. We do large volume of exports, we also do imports and that is where we rely for our major revenue. That is where we hope from the imports to meet the revenue target set for us by the government. So, true, there has been massive decline in activities here at Seme Joint Border Post. There was slight optic last year when we had issue with Niger Republic and the borders in Niger were closed. So, a lot of activities tickled down to the Command, but since the reopening of the borders, we are almost back to where we were prior to the closing of the borders in Niger. But, we are very optimistic that things will improve”.
The Command announced export of 143,468 metric tons through the Seme/Krake Border from January to May 2024 recently.
* Plans to link NCS, Benin Customs platforms for free flow of data underway
* Nigeria Customs may use Benin tariff for goods on transit
By Francis Ugwoke
The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed optimism of improving on trade facilitation and revenue generation soon with ongoing strategic efforts to ensure there is a rise in activities in the border post.
The border post which was shut down along with others over two years ago is still battling with the effect in terms of trading activities.
This has impacted negatively on the revenue of the Command as it recorded N2.6bn between January and May this year following low imports.
The revenue for the five months was even an improvement with what was generated in the Command during the same period last year.
Although the border is now open for full operation, not many traders are aware of this, a development that has led to poor traffic.
But the Controller of the Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi said that there is hope for an improvement in trade and revenue generation from the Command.
Bomodi told SHIPPING DAY in an exclusive chat that every effort is being made to ensure that trade facilitation improves in the border post, adding that issues affecting trade are being tackled at the highest level of government.
The Controller disclosed that one of the major complaints has been that those who use the joint border post in terms of imports complain of unnecessary high charges in Benin Republic.
According to him, the Comptroller General of the Customs, Bashir Wale Adeniyi and the Finance Minister had taken up the issue with the Benin Republic Government.
He told SHIPPING DAY, “One of the major complaints we have had from people that use the joint border post in terms of imports is that at the other side in Benin, they are faced with unnecessary high charges.
“The Comptroller General of Customs and at some point the Minister of Finance held meetings with officials from Benin at the highest level to address some of these issues”.
Bomodi also disclosed that there are plans to link the NCS platform with that of the Benin to allow free flow of data.
He added that once this is done, among other adjustments, there will be the need to use their tariff for goods on transit.
He said, “We are also addressing issues of harmonization of our operating system which will be to link the NCS platform with that of the counterpart in Benin in such a way that data freely flows between us.
“Once these platforms are harmonized and once we see that there is a level of adjustments that accommodate the needs of traders in Nigeria, we will be using their tariffs for goods in transit”.
He added, “ We are likely going to see a rise in activities. We are also hoping that through the wisdom of government the restriction previously placed on importation of used vehicles may be lifted. And if that is done, we are positive it will have great impact on our revenue generation. So, all these are things in the works that once they come to fruition, will impact on our revenue generation”.
The Customs Controller also pointed out that one of the issues affecting trade in Seme is that not many people are aware that the Command has now been fully opened after the closure years back.
He said, “ you know since the closure of the border, we have not returned to full operations at the joint border post. It is understandable because it is a lot easier to shut it down than it is to restart it. So, it is a gradual process. A lot of people are still not aware that this border is open for full operations.
“ By full operations, I mean that every activity that takes place in the port right now except the importation of used vehicles can also take place at the joint border posts.
“So, it is this awareness we want to bring to members of the public that we are open for business. We have the officers here, we have the equipment that will enable us to facilitate all kinds of trade. We do large volume of exports, we also do imports and that is where we rely for our major revenue. That is where we hope from the imports to meet the revenue target set for us by the government. So, true, there has been massive decline in activities here at Seme Joint Border Post. There was slight optic last year when we had issue with Niger Republic and the borders in Niger were closed. So, a lot of activities tickled down to the Command, but since the reopening of the borders, we are almost back to where we were prior to the closing of the borders in Niger. But, we are very optimistic that things will improve”.
The Command announced export of 143,468 metric tons through the Seme/Krake Border from January to May 2024 recently.
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