THE GUARDIAN FEBRUARY 21, 2020 PAGE 26
To boost Federal Government’s revenue drive, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), and the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) have partnered to ensure shippers complied with procedures at the seaports to curb unnecessary delays in cargo clearing.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive officer of NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello, during a courtesy visit to on the comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) in Abuja pointed out that low compliance rate among shippers often caused delay in cargo clearing, but the partnership among regulatory agencies would further ensure proper compliance. He said: ”We represent the shippers, but we also know that compliance is a serious problem. If all the shippers would comply, then, there won’t be delays’’.
Bello expressed the readiness of the Council to assist the NCS in achieving it’s N1.6 trillion revenue target in 2020.
According to him the Electronic Customs platform is the appropriate technology that will gladden the hearts of many, as synergy among the regulators – Customs, Nigerian Ports Authority, NSC and others would ensure compliance.
The NSC boss applauded the Customs’ performance on Ali’s watch saying: “With the temporary closure of Nigerian land borders, Nigerian have seen the relevance of NCS to the economy. It has brought international acknowledgement of the integrity and honesty displayed by the Customs boss”. Ali, in his remarks said NSC is ready to collaborate with the Council to sensitize, stakeholders on the importance of compliance, which had become Nigeria’s biggest problem in terms of trade.
