Port Harcourt, Rivers State – E be like say Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) don finally get sense as dem launch new automated system wey go help clear the wahala wey dey happen for Onne ports. Dis new system go help dem clear overtime cargo wey don dey block space for fresh imports like a bull in a china shop (no be small). Dis e-clearance system go allow people submit and track their applications from di comfort of their houses, no more going to queue like say tomorrow no go come.
As dem gather for sensitisation exercise for Port Harcourt, Comptroller for Special Duties, Hadiel Hadison, talk say dis system dey aligned with di vision of di Comptroller-General of Customs to automate every corner of customs process. E no dey here to play. “This event don show di passion wey di Comptroller-General get to automate things,” e yarn.
Before, di Overtime Management Act give importers 90 days to clear their goods before e go turn Overtime Cargo. But now, as di new Customs Act come enter play, dem don reduce am to only 30 days. Na wetin dem call major progress, no be so?
Hadison add say dem still dey gree give importers extra months to clear their goods to make sure say no one go suffer. “Dis new system go make dem learn well and reduce di time goods dey stay for ports. We go also train dem well on how to use di system,” he talk.
Aliyu Alkali, di Customs Area Controller for Port Harcourt, don chop di gist too. He talk say dis new initiative na turning point for customs operations. “E go tackle di manual paperwork wahala, abandoned cargo, and slow clearance wey don dey hold down trade and economic activities for too long,” he explain.
Alkali no fit hide di smile for him face as he talk say di new automated clearance system go bring transparency and accountability, like say dem wan take life easy. “Stakeholders fit track their applications online without smelling each other’s armpits in person.” Wow, no more sweaty palms!
Di transformation na powerful one, driven by di Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Na better law wey go enable dem handle cargo wey don dey there for over 120 days and decide wetin to do dem. Whether to auction am or throw am where nobody go find am again, na dem sabi.
For di workshop, dem split am into two sessions – one for stakeholders and di other for di officers (na pepper dem dey carry come learn how to manage di new technology). Abubakar Abdulkadir and Suleiman Mohammed also come share how di system take work with di participants.
Dis e-clearance system na part of di bigger picture wey di Comptroller-General dey see to modernise customs and make sure say everybody fit benefit from di new system. Port Saloon no go ever be di same again.
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