Some industrial banks inefficient operations of late have been recognized as a significant setback to cargo clearance on the seaports, particularly on the platform of B’Odugwu digital system lately launched by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The Nigeria Customs Service pilot part of B’Odogwu commerce modernization software program is aimed toward streamlining Customs documentation and clearance course of. The Founding father of Nationwide Affiliation of Authorities Accepted Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Boniface Aniebonam, mentioned: “B’Odogwu is a neighborhood creation of Nigerians to take over Nigeria Built-in Customs System (NICIS) with clear intent to streamline Customs Automation Methods. Sadly, we famous that this effort is being undermined.
“The foremost problem on B’Odogwu idea is with the processing of funds on the banks, resulting from lack of integration of some banks and lack of correct communication between banks headquarters and their operational branches on how you can course of cost on B’Odogwu for linked banks.
“As vital stakeholders within the maritime commerce and transportation, NAGAFF could be very a lot conscious that the pilot stage of this nice considering shall have preliminary issues to be addressed as they arrive. Due to this fact, the necessity to train sufferers can’t be overemphasized,” he said.
Noting that the brand new method is extra productive and environment friendly than NICIS of previous, the NAGAFF Chief said that: “There are traces of human aspect obstacles in opposition to this laudable goal of saving Nigeria an enormous sum of foreign exchange and native content material.”
He famous that NAGAFF members are dealing with difficulties of cargo clearance at Port and Terminal Administration Ltd (PTML) alongside the agitations of the sister affiliation, Affiliation of Nigeria Customs License Brokers (ANLCA).
He said: “The 2 vessels manifested on December 4 and 9, 2024 have already been transmitted to B’Odogwu with 1,825 payments of lading and a couple of,210 containers of which 523 entries have been assessed, with some paid and chosen for examination. This has surged the full variety of SGDs to about 1,007 as of seven:32pm December 11, 2024.”
Aniebonam mentioned the difficulty of excessive demurrage costs by the terminal operators can be a significant concern. In attempting to resolve these avoidable circumstances, he mentioned all involved banks should as a matter of urgency guarantee seamless integration and sensitization of desk officers at their operational branches on how you can course of cost on B’Odogwu, noting that the platform has excessive propensity of bettering clearance time and commerce facilitation, effectivity, enhanced Customs management and elevated income assortment.
He urged Customs to deploy its inherent powers to arrest and prosecute any one that obstructs the lawful obligation of an officer as contained of their act.
