By Kenneth Jukpor
As part of efforts to guarantee national security, the new Customs Area Controller (CAC) at Tin Can Island Port, Comptroller Musa Baba Abdullahi has given assurances to provide social and environmental protection and contribute in the fight against terrorism, interception of illicit, dangerous, and counterfeit goods.
Compt. Musa, who gave this assurance at a maiden breakfast media briefing at the command in Lagos yesterday, also said the command was committed to contributing to the economic growth and competitiveness through trade facilitation and Ease of Doing Business initiative of the Federal Government.
Musa’s comments on national security is apt following the influx of arms totaling two thousand, six hundred and seventy one (2, 671) pump-action rifles last year, which saw Tin Can Command responsible for two thousand and ten rifles (75%) on three separate occasions.
It should also be noted that as a pre-election year, there are tendencies that more illegal arms may be smuggled as some powermongers (politicians) seek to rig elections while the restiveness of boko haram, herdsmen and militancy persist in several parts of the country.
The CAC also assured that he intends to provide better service delivery noting that the command would continue to build capacity in all core Customs areas of classification, valuation, risk management, data management, etc.
“We are to provide coordinating role in Ease of Doing Business Initiative. 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 software to handle the remaining part of the Export Procedures. It will enable records of none Oil Export, Agriculture and others” he said.
Realizing the importance of collaborating with the media, Musa said: “I have been fully briefed on the enormous cooperation that you extended to my predecessor which ultimately gave him the needed impetus to excel, through your very constructive, professional and investigative reportage of our activities. Thank you.”
“Our mission includes Trade Facilitation, Revenue Collection, National Security and Capacity Building. We shall collaborate with other Stakeholders in some other areas to curb the influx of arms into the country
On the issue of dispute resolution, he said; “Prior to this time, the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) was meeting twice a week to deliberate on conflicts arising from valuation, classification, PAAR etc. However on assumption and as a pointer to our renewed enthusiasm for Trade Facilitation, I have directed that all issues arising from disputes must be attended to with dispatch. Hence, the DRC have been directed to sit on daily basis for quick resolution of issues”
The CAC also revealed that the command was given a target of N364billion for revenue collection even as he disclosed that the command had already generated N62billion and he assured that under his watch, the command would block all revenue leakages to collect appropriate duties and meet its target for the year.
However, on the deployment of NICIS II, he said NICIS II was an upgrade on NICIS I with more efficient and functional capabilities to enable quick cargo clearance, thereby reducing transaction cost.
“Stakeholders and officers are undergoing training for ease of implementation and migration” he added.
