CGC urges Agents to Embrace B'odogwu, as AREFFN Sensitizes Agents In Rivers

The Comptroller General Of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR has urged the Agents and Maritime stakeholders in the Eastern Ports corridor of Nigeria to embrace the Unified Customs management system (UCMS) otherwise known as B'odogwu .

The call came on the heels of a one- day Sensitization Summit organized by the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria (AREFFN) in conjunction with Global Rays media in Port Harcourt the Rivers state Capital, Wednesday, with the theme : Ports Cargo Clearance And Logistics: A B'odogwu Connectivity and E-call UP"

The CGC who was represented by the B' Odogwu, project manager Zone C, Assistant Comptroller, AC Abass Oladepo informed the agents that B' Odogwu is an ideal Customs management system which ensures seamless Trade Facilitation and Ease of doing Business in the maritime sector of the economy.

The CGC went further to posit that the essence of B'odogwu project is to ensure that agents and other traders at the ports clear their goods without delay.

On its connectivity with E - call up system, he noted that once the goods are cleared in no time, the trucks can easily access the ports to take delivery of the containers .

The system which according to him was pioneered at the Ports and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML), Lagos on October 23, 2024, has generated over N2 trillion Naira since its inception underscoring the essence of the B'odogwu system.

The Customs boss, reiterated that despite the toothing problems associated with new innovations, Agents and critical stakeholders have braced the system because of its efficiency and effectiveness in time management in relation to cargo documentation and clearance saying " They have braced the system seeing its efficiency and effectiveness in revenue generation and time management"

Continuing, he insisted "people tend to resist new innovations , it's natural but there is no alternative for now to B'odogwu and it's better and faster than what we had in Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS )" He emphasized.

On B'odogwu challenges, the CGC stated that Customs has evolved and not resting on its oars but was prepared to tackle all the concerns raised, insisting that Agents should trust B' Odogwu, as B'odogwu was not only in the name, but the action and process of the system.

CGC, Adeniyi MFR added that from Time Release Studies, Nigeria customs Service was optimistic that the Cargo Clarence process has improved even as he promised to tackle any bottleneck that might arise to ensure the sustainance of the seamless cargo clearance.

Earlier in his welcome address, Comrade Prince Obinna Ugochukwu stated that sequel to the several polices embarked upon by Nigeria Customs Service and Nigerian Ports Authority aimed at facilitating trade and cargo clearance at the Ports, the Nigeria Customs service as well as the Nigerian Ports Authority have introduced laudable programmes called the B’Odogwu and the E-Call up system respectively.

Those policies according to him needed adequate sensitization and awareness for Maritime practitioners and Ports operators with a view to creating robust synergies in order to achieve government goals. 

Continuing, he said "I am honoured to see so many dedicated individuals gathered here today to learn and share knowledge", even as Ugochukwu added that the summit was geared towards creating more sensitization on the newly introduced indigenous B'Odogwu Connectivity by Nigerian Customs Service in line with the vision of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR). 

He insisted that since the introduction of B'odogwu, the indigenous Cargo Clearance system, has proven to be faster, time saving and convenient.   

 Though,Comrade Ugochukwu was quick, to add that the system as a new one, was experiencing some network hitches, but noted that B'Odogwu has proven to boost revenue generation within a short period of time.

Lauding Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR for the innovation,he however added that stakeholders urged him look into the challenges with the view to solving them by upgrading the network facility for swift process of 48 hour Cargo Clearance also look into various variations of Duty payment in order to boost revenue generation which according to him "is the essence of introducing B'Odogwu."

Speaking on the E-call Up, Comrade Ugochukwu ,stated that the Nigerian Ports Authority, having introduced the track access process called, E-call up in order to aid proper truck registration, documentation and easy access to the Ports, should also ensure strict compliance of truck drivers to this effect urging that the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho and his management team should ensure that there would be no sabotage of the system.

Others who spoke at the event were The Traffic Manager, NPA Onne Port complex, Surajudeen Abolade who represented the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority Dr Abubakar Dantsoho and Mrs. Ify Okolue, of the Nigerian Shippers Council Eastern Zone representing Barr. Pius Akutah,the Executive Secretary/ CEO.

The duo spoke on the importance of the introduction of the E- Call up system in the Eastern Zone, urging agents and others traders at the Ports to key into it, insisting that the system would help reduce congestion, provide data base for trucks and monitor trucks movement for effective ports utilization.

However, the programme featured question and answer section while the highpoint was the award of Excellence performance to deserving individuals, parastatals and companies such as, the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho,MD, NPA, Barr Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary/ CEO Nigeria Shippers Council, West African Container Terminal, (WACT), Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT),

 Innocent Ogbuji of (WACT), ANLCA National president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji, former ANLCA Chairman Onne Seaport chapter, Mr Mike Ebeatu, Mr. Kingsley Offor, Kingsoo Bonded Terminal, Mr. Chidera Organuzor, Odest Bonded Terminal, Deacon Chinedu Ikenga, Prestige Bonded Terminal and Apostle Tony Nzekwe of Global Rays Media and facilitator of the programme among others.

Speaking on the Award, the Commercial Manager and representative of Onne Multipurpose Terminal, Mr. Charles Okogbue thanked the organisers of the event even as he expressed gratitude to the honour done to his company insisting that the recognition has shown his company is doing very well and according to him, they are willing to partner with any lofty idea and innovation that will improve their services for the betterment of agents and other critical stakeholders at the ports.

Present at the occasion include critical stakeholders, ANLCA, NAGAFF and Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, Customs Area Controller, Customs Area 1 Command, Port Harcourt who gave her goodwill message promising open door policy, trade Facilitation and absence of Cargo delays at the Area 1 Customs command Port Harcourt.

Sent-in by Bon Peters, from Port-Harcourt in Rivers State

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