The Federal Executive Council (FEC), on 2nd September 2020, ratified and signed a significant concession projects; the 20-year Nigeria Customs Automation Scheme.This elicited a rainbow of opinions from the public. Different people reacted differently according to their understandings, orientations and professional backgrounds.
However, it is viewed, by some people as a move to undermine the revenue that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generates annually. This is due to the fact that, NCS is one of the major revenue generating agencies and therefore a pillar that gives tremendous support to the economic strength of the Federal Government.
Those with this view, see the concession to be exposing and weakening the FG, thereby making it susceptible to economic sabotage. And this is detrimental to corporate existence, sovereignty, peace and stability of Nigeria. Others however, are of the view that the concession of the NCS will threaten and compromise the security of the nation.
Given the role of NCS in border management, control and security, that make it to majorly serve as a gatekeeper and watchman for the numerous, porous and permeable entry points into the country. What will guarantee the selectivity of the import and export goods in line with the FG’s fiscal policies under the concessionaires? In essence, this is on the presumption that the electronic facilities are operated by humans, and the humans are liable to compromise as well as the increasing profile of cyber crimes in the international community.
On the other hand, some entertain fears for the fate of the NCS personnel under the concession agreement. They opined that, since the machines will be deployed to do the customs job, very few personnel will be needed. Since the personnel might have nothing to do, they are fears of looming massive job losses in the service. And this will add insult to the injury at a time when youth unemployment constitutes a bottle neck for peace and stability of the nation.
Therefore, the question they asked is, what would be the fate of the highly trained, dedicated and committed officers and men of the NCS under this concession?
Meanwhile, it is a well known fact that globally, there is a raging revolution and transformation in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With the increase in the volume and complexity of goods in international trade, globalisation of customs administration and the advent of e-commerce, e- governance and virtual borders, the full automation and modernization of NCS is inevitable.
This will enable it us to be at par with the modern realities and respond effectively to the demands of the stakeholders. The sponsor of the memo in the FEC, who is the chairman, Nigeria Customs Service Board and the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning Hajiya Zainab Shamsuna Ahmad, explained that, the concession project of NCS automation scheme, will see the complete automation of customs procedures, processes and practices.
This will be achieved by the application of ICT in all aspects of customs administration. The project will be based on “Build, Operate and Transfer” (BOT) ground. The period of twenty years will see the investment of $3.1 billion, with the FG not paying a dime. However, within the period, $176 billion will accrue to the FG coffers, with the estimate of about $8.8 billion (#3.5 trillion) annually.
The minister also explained that the e-customs regime will usher in totally electronic and paperless customs administration, electronic assessment and payment of customs duties; electronic cargo processing and handling as well as electronic risk management and inspection.
It will also provide a single platform that will link NCS to all other related agencies and electronic permit exchange among all the stakeholders. This regime will also guarantee the evolution of integrated border management system that will run real time cargo scanning and connect all the eighty two border stations (approved customs points) in the country.
Coupled with the recently ratified Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the automation project will enable the NCS to interface with other African Customs Administrations to handle properly and efficiently the terms of the agreement.
In spite the tremendous benefits of this project, the FG should ensure the full commitment of the concessionaires to the terms and conditions of the agreements. The FG needs to ensure that all the stakeholders are carried along and put in place policies that can insulate the project from unnecessary political interference.
When these measures are put in place, the fears of the public will be allayed, and the NCS will be projected to higher altitudes in the global customs arena.
Usman Aliyu Elnafaty writes from Fadamar Jaji, Bauchi Bauchi State
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