(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/infoandfinance-300x224.jpg) The coordinating Minister for the economy and the Minister of Finance,Dr. NgoziOkonjo-Iweala has identified some measures taken to drastically improve the performance of the Customs Service in Nigeria which are already yielding fruits.
The Minister made the disclosure at this year's Ministerial Platform organized by the Federal Ministry of Information.
The deployment of information, communication technology (ICT), trade facilitation and the stepping up of anti-smuggling activities, she said, are some of the measures improving the performance of the Service. Her words, "The deployment of ICT has helped in the upgrade of the ASYCUDA system to version 3.0, while there has been Integration of Customs Operation (Platform) through a portal named Nigeria Integrated Customs Information Systems (NICIS) thus eliminating multiple submission of cargo and goods' documentation to several stakeholders e.g. Bank, CBN, Freight Companies, etc.
(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/infoandfinance-300x224.jpg)The Minister said in order to facilitate trade, there has been an online real-time processing of Custom's documents/manifest by shipping/airlines contrary to the previous manual way that slowed down operation. "Also, there has been simplification and harmonization of Customs' clearance procedures, in line with international best practice. Electronic tracking and auditing of Customs' operations and transaction is a new development as well"; she said.
Okonjo-Iwealasubmitted that her Ministry's effort at stepping up anti-smuggling activities has paid off with the disbandingof hinterland Customs' check points and outlawing duplicity in cargo examination by agencies at the ports.
In addition, she said that her office has ensured that there are capacity building programmes to increase performance and efficiency in Customs Service.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria