Nigeria Customs Collaborates With Organisations To Boost Trade Facilitation

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the World Bank Group (WBG), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is holding a five-day workshop on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) to enhance trade facilitation in Nigeria.

Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi at the opening ceremony expressed gratitude to the WCO,WBG and IMF for their invaluable contributions to the PCA reform efforts.

Represented by Assistant Comptroller -General of Customs in charge of Tarrif and Trade,Adekunle Oloyede, stated that the workshop is essential for establishing a robust PCA, which complements the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme.

According to him, both initiatives are critical to strengthening the compliance framework and advancing the trade facilitation efforts of the Service.

“PCA plays a vital role in ensuring compliance in international trade and safeguarding national revenue long after goods have exited Customs control,” he said.

The Customs Comptroller General emphasised that the ability to conduct effective post-clearance audits enables the NCS to detect and prevent commercial fraud, recover lost revenue, and enhance trade facilitation. He noted, “PCA serves as a vital tool in balancing trade facilitation with compliance.”

Comptroller Adeniyi also disclosed that a strong PCA framework fosters a secure trading environment, ultimately facilitating smoother international trade.

Highlighting the significance of online virtual sessions, he added, “They provide real-time insights and knowledge sharing, allowing us to address specific challenges and implement the best practices around the globe, helping to innovate NCS PCA processes.”

Outlining the key areas of the workshop, the Customs head stated that the focus includes; risk management, targeting, developing data-driven methodologies to identify high-risk transactions, creating detailed audit plans for efficient execution, capacity building, leveraging international expertise and technology, among others.

He urged participants to apply what they learned to strengthen the Service’s PCA system and protect national revenue.

Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Suleiman Chiroma from  the Strategic Research and Policy Department of NCS, emphasised that PCA is a tool that ensures the smooth running of Customs processes by introducing measures, methods, and various approaches for seamless transactions. He said, “Collaboration with these organisations is key to the survival and success of the NCS.”

Also speaking, World Customs Organisation expert, Russell Clark expressed his appreciation for the collaboration and commended the NCS’s dedication to improving its processes in facilitating trade.

The workshop which runs from 7  to 11 October, 2024 is holding in Abuja the nation’s capital,

Olusola Akintonde