…As Customs Laments Insincerity In Duty Payment by Importers
ES/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council,(NSC), Hassan Bello
The Executive Secretary/ CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, has called for the upgrade of the Infrastructure in the Nigerian Seaports as part of measures to boost the nation’s exports and the economy .
Bello made the call during his courtesy visit to the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Colonel Hammed Ali(rtd) , suggesting that addressing the issue of infrastructure at the ports , will improve trade facilitation in the country.
The Shippers Council’s boss said that the existence of modern and efficient infrastructure will also encourage and boost Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Earnings, ensure balance of trade between the country and its foreign trading partners , as well as reduce the economy’s dependence on imports.
He advised that all hands should be on by the relevant agencies at the Ports and in the maritime sector to ensure that the country’s Ports and shipping sector is effective and efficient so that the Federal Government will have access to more funds to finance the national budget , without relying on revenue from oil.
According to him, “We have become so import dependent as a nation that we have forgotten what export is. Export is very important so that we can earn foreign exchange.If trade facilitation improves at the ports and the maritime sector works well, then government can finance its budget without even thinking of the oil.”
He however called on the leadership of the Customs to consider implementation of the single window project and the provision of scanners in the ports as part of the ways to achieve trade facilitation, adding that this is one of the means to guarantee quick exit of goods out of the seaports.
Ali in his response said the Customs was ready to collaborate with the Shippers’ Council to sensitise stakeholders on the need to always comply with trade regulations, saying the concern of dishonesty on the part of importers in declarations, has remained the biggest headache for the Customs.
He disclosed that during a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as the Chairman of the Single Window Project, there was an agreement that the E-Custom would be the main platform for the Single Window , saying it will be a warehouse where everybody keys into for information and for transacting business in Nigeria.
Ali said what is required is for all other agencies including the Shippers’ Council to develop its own technological platform and then key into the E-customs platform adding that the collaboration between the Customs and NSC should be fast- tracked.
