(http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/thumbnail.php?file=minister_of_state_for_finance_dr_yerima_ngama_137809836.jpg&size=article_medium) Yerima Ngama The Federal Govern[/size]ment is planning to [/font][/size]buy an aircraft for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to boost its anti-smuggling operations.
[/size] The Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, disclosed this yesterday at the opening of a three-day Single Window National Stakeholders Conference organised by the NCS at its Regional Training Institute, Gwagwalada, Abuja. [/font][/size]
He said that the procurement of an aircraft has become necessary to apprehend law breakers.[/font][/font][/size]
Ngana said: "We have to equip the Customs with all they need to fight smuggling. High speed boats have been bought for water patrol. We also need to buy aircraft to watch over our borderline.You know that we are living in a country where no matter what you do to make things easier, people will still go through the hazard of smuggling." [/font]
[/size]He extolled the NCS’ technical staff handling of the ASYCUDA system for their proficiency that has culminated in the upgrading of the system’s Single Window to an international level.
[/size]NCS Comptroller-General Abdullahi Dikko explained that the Single Window is a trade facility which allows parties in trade transaction to lodge standardised information and documents with a single entry, to fulfil all import, export and transit related regulatory requirements.
[/size]Dikko, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General, Strategic Research and Policy, Dr. Manasah Jatau, said with the migration to Single Window facility, Nigeria has joined the league of countries such as Canada, US, Netherlands and Switzerland, which have adopted the strategy.
[/size]His words: "This establishment will make a trader to submit electronic data declaration to the various authorities for processing and approval in a single application. I want to use this medium to appeal to all Nigerians to be actively involved in supporting this policy which is targeted at revamping our economy."
[/size]In his remarks, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Bassey Otuh, said the present system was less than satisfactory, justifying the need for the migration to the Single Window.
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