Customs Engages Zone C Stakeholders on Automation of Licences and Permits, Urges Them on Compliance

The Nigeria Customs Service has engaged stakeholders in Zone C, on the automation of the licences and permits processes even as the service has insisted that the success of the innovation depends solely on the officers and stakeholders' compliance.

The event which was held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital Tuesday, February 24, was among the series of E- customs modernization embarked upon by the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD aimed to streamline cargo clearance procedures, increase revenue generation, fight smuggling and enhance trade.

In her opening remarks, the Comptroller,  licenses and permits  NJ Anozie welcomed the stakeholders on behalf of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service,  Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD ,dsm, fnipr, psc (+) and his entire management team,  "I welcome you all to yet another important point scored, in the innovation-driven modernization process of the Nigeria Customs Service, by this administration and that is  “the automation of the process of acquiring and renewal of licenses and permits”.

She went further to posit that "You will recall that the 3-point agenda of our indefatigable Comptroller General as he mounted the saddle of leadership are, Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation. and precisely, he has been very focused and intentional about these agenda; especially as he is surrounded by a formidable ‘think tank team’ as members of his management."

She stated that what the Nigeria Customs Service is doing under the leadership of CGC Adeniyi MFR is to key into the global best practices of Customs modernization especially as the CGC is now the chairman of WCO.

Outlining the benefits of automation of licenses and permits she stated that it would bring about ease of doing business in the maritime sector, boost revenue generation, minimize stress for agents and bond seat officers of the Service, cut the cost of doing business and minimize movement risks for stakeholders. 

Speaking further, Comptroller, Anozie said that automation would minimize, if not eradicate fraudulent practices in the system, as every single document that would be uploaded in the course of the process would be automatically rejected by default, if it is fake and accepted if it is genuine. 

She insisted that L&P could now view assessments through the B’Odogwu to be sure that any company applying for fresh or renewal of licences or permits is not having unpaid assessment hanging.

She appealed to the officers and stakeholders to embrace the innovation as such would immensely benefit both Nigeria Customs Service and the stakeholders, insisting that the success or otherwise depends largely on compliance adding that "automation is simple and seamless" even as she hinted that the Bond Seats officers at all the Area Commands have been trained for the automation before now but their minds needed to be refreshed.

She therefore solicited members of the press to help disseminate the information.

In her keynote address, the special guest of honour,  Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) Tariff & Trade CK Niagwan fsi, represented by the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Customs Area 1, Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku stated that  institutional reforms do not occur by chance or luck but by  result of purposeful planning and disciplined execution.

DCG Niagwan insisted that the automation of the Licence and Permit process is one such reform achieved under the leadership of CGC Adeniyi aimed to address a core regulatory responsibility of the Service, such as, control, supervision, and authorization of licensed operators within the Customs environment.

She insisted that through licensing, the Service defined standards, verified compliance, and safeguarded the integrity of its operations; hence the process must be consistent, accountable, and resistant to manipulation. 

She added that the platform provided a structured digital framework to achieve those objectives professionally while standardizing the registration process by requiring Tax Identification Number verification. 

She emphasized that the process  ensured  that company information, directors, and field agents were properly documented, allowing secure upload of statutory documents while creating a defined workflow for review, validation, approval, renewal, and compliance monitoring.

She hinted that at the Command level, officers were required to examine each application systematically, verified directors, validated individually and documents reviewed one after the other. 

She admonished that where deficiencies existed clear reasons must be provided, and also where approvals were granted, such approvals should be documented within the system as according to her, such approach reinforced administrative discipline and reduced uncertainty.

 She further stated that, at Headquarters level, further scrutiny should ensure uniformity across Commands as applications forwarded for higher consideration must undergo structured review. 

"Queries and rejections must be justified in writing. Final approvals are deliberate and recorded. Active, expired, blocked, and rejected licences are categorized for effective monitoring" she said among others.

She cautioned that digital platform should not replace discipline but reinforced it, saying that  "the strength of this system will depend on the professionalism of officers who operate it and the compliance of stakeholders who use it."

In her goodwill message, Comptroller Administration, Zonal Headquarters Zone C, Ifeyinwa Edebeatu , lauded the initiative of the Tariff and Trade Department of the (NCS) describing the event as yet another significant step in the Service’s deliberate journey towards institutional modernization, operational excellence, and service delivery driven by innovation.

She disclosed that the automation of Licences and Permits is not merely an administrative adjustment but a transformational milestone that reinforced the Nigeria customs Service commitment to efficiency, transparency and accountability.

She added that as an organisation operating within a dynamic global trade environment, the Nigeria Customs Service must continuously evolve, noting that around the world, Customs administrations are leveraging technology to simplify procedures, reduce human interface, and enhance compliance. 

The initiative according to her aligned the Nigeria Customs service with the global momentum and strengthened its collective resolve to build a system that is predictable, reliable and secure.

Her words: "Change may require adjustment, but progress demands adaptation. Together, we can ensure that the transition to an automated Licences and Permits process is seamless, inclusive, and beneficial to all parties."

The event featured presentations by the facilitators from the Customs headquarters. More so, there was a question and answer session and vote of thanks delivered by the Customs Area controller, Ibeto Seaport and Terminals Area 5, Comptroller Usman Yahaya.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, stakeholders applauded the customs initiative but enjoined them to remove all bottlenecks to ensure its seamless operation.

Present at the event include Controller Eastern Marine Command, Comptroller AB Jaja, officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Members of ANLCA, NAGAFF, Terminal Operators, shipping companies, APFFLON, AREFFN among others.

By: Bon Peters

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