Talk of hitting the ground running and the The Customs Area Controller, CAC, Tin Can Island Command, Comptroller Musa Baba Abdullah, MBA, is one of such individuals who, as part of efforts to get things done, has reactivated the dispute resolution committee at the Command and charged members to meet daily and close the gap between the customs and the clearing agents in Tin Can.

The CAC who disclosed this at his maiden media parley at the Command in Lagos also stated that the Dispute Resolution Committee, DRC, which used to meet twice a week to deliberate on conflicts arising from Valuation, Classification, Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR, among other such issues, would now respond to issues immediately through the help desk at the PROs office.

In his words “As part of Trade Facilitation, we are aware of the 48 hour Cargo Clearance Time. We have therefore deployed the ‘Time Release Studies as performance indicator to guide our performance. Other issue to contribute to this will include transport efficiency and efficient infrastructure which is beyond us. We are deploying a software to handle the remaining part of the Export Procedures. It will enable records of none Oil Export, Agriculture and others”.

MBA said the purpose of the initiative was in line with his vision “To facilitate trade, Raise Revenue, ensure National Security, Capacity Building, fast track Ease of Doing Business, ensure 48hour cargo clearance time and make sure that all Revenue Leakage are totally blocked, so as to collect appropriate duties and meet our target”

According to the CAC, “We shall block all revenue leakages to collect appropriate duties and meet our target of N354B. So far we have collected N 62b. NICIS II is an upgrade of NICIS I with more efficient and functional capabilities to enable Quick Cargo Clearances thereby reduces transaction cost. Stakeholders / Officers are undergoing Training for ease of Implementation and Migration”.

CAC observed that the issue of security is paramount. He said Nigeria Customs Service is out to help with National security, contribute in the fight against Terrorism and prompt interception of illegal and dangerous goods coming into the country.

Already,  the CAC has met with the commissioner of Police Commissioner of Police Western Ports Command, CP, Celestine Okoye to look at Security issues and find ways and means to curtail them.