The Nigeria Customs Service pilot phase of B’Odogwu trade modernization software is aimed at streamlining Customs documentation and clearance process.
Regret to note that good intentions of the management board of Nigeria Customs are being undermined by human elements forces.
Let it be on record that the concept of Renewed Hope of the present administration is targeted towards creating greater opportunities for Nigerians to do things by themselves.
To achieve this objective, we must understand that it entails hard work, commitment, sacrifices and patriotism.
Therefore, the era of creating food for the boys must be jettisoned and local content created and implemented.
And for the emphasis, Bodogwu is a local creation of Nigerians to takeover Nigeria Integrated Customs System (NICIS) with clear intent to streamline Customs Automation Systems.
Unfortunately, we noted that this effort is being undermined.
As critical stakeholders in the Maritime trade and transportation, NAGAFF is very much aware that the pilot stage of this great thinking shall have initial problems to be addressed as they come.
Therefore, the need to exercise patient cannot be overemphasized. NAGAFF high command have been keeping an eye on the pilot stage of this great thinking at Port and Terminal Management Ltd (PTML) from inception noting that this new approach is more productive and efficient than NICIS of the old.
However, there are traces of human element barriers against this laudable objective of saving Nigeria a huge sum of tome and local content.
And for the avoidance of doubts, the intelligence Committee of NAGAFF filed a report accordingly over the situation in PTML and the agitation of members of our sister association, the Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents (ANCLA).
The two vessels manifested on 4th and 9′ December 2024 have already been transmitted to Bodogwu with 1,825 bills of lading and 2,210 containers of which 523 entries have been assessed, with some paid and selected for examination.
This has surged the total number of SGDs to about 1,007 as of 7:32pm 11. December 2024.
The major challenge on Bodogwu concept is with the processing of payments at the banks, due to lack of integration of some banks (especially those connected through interswitch) and lack of proper communication between banks headquarters and their operational branches on how to process payment on Bodogwu for connected banks.
Also the issue of high demurrage by the terminal operators is also a major concern.
In trying to resolve these avoidable circumstances, all concerned banks must as a matter of urgency ensure seamless integration and sensitization of desk officers at their operational branches on how to process payment on Bodogwu, noting that the platform has high propensity of improving clearance time and trade facilitation, efficiency, enhanced Customs control and increased revenue collection.
The point herein is to remark that the first set of Americans that went to outer space got bursted on mid air and that did not stop further effort to achieve the objective.
Therefore, the urgent need for the Customs to deploy their inherent powers to arrest and prosecute any person who obstruct the lawful duty of an officer as contained in their act cannot be overemphasized if we must make a head way.
We must, therefore, support our own noting that renewed hope agenda must be realized for the good of the greater numbers. Yes, we can do it.
NAGAFF shall continue to insist that under destination inspection regime, the road map to seamless Customs operations shall include but not limited to our level of compliance to import and export regulations of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In our general assessment of ports operations, Customs facilitation and without prejudice to automation, it is our view that compliance level is still very low.
We therefore, advise that freight Agents should endeavor to make honest declaration for Customs purposes. Therefore, our transactions must ensure integrity and patriotism.
And for the management team of Customs at PTML, there is the urgent need to engage the terminal operators to grant waiver on demurrage for the next two months in this transitional period to enable the banks key in properly.
DR. B.O ANIEBONAM,
FOUNDER NAGAFF
