FG Eyes $250bn Revenue Through Customs Modernisation Project.
The Federal Government has announced plans to generate over $250 billion through the ongoing Customs Modernisation Project of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). This ambitious project aims to automate the NCS’s business processes, making it easier for stakeholders in the trade value chain to obtain import and export clearances, pay duties, and release goods.
The NCS, during a media tour and sensitisation of the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) activities in Abuja, highlighted that the project also includes the deployment of drones and body cameras to combat smuggling at borders. These technologies have already been successfully tested and will be fully implemented under the TMP.
A document provided to journalists outlined the potential revenue growth from the Customs Modernisation Project, stating that it could generate in excess of $250 billion for the Federal Government over the concession’s lifespan. Additionally, the project is expected to align Nigeria with global standards in the use of technology to facilitate international trade, thereby boosting the country’s economic diversification efforts by simplifying cross-border trading.
The Customs Modernisation Project is structured as a public-private partnership, with the Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL) acting as the special-purpose vehicle and concessionaire for a 20-year period starting in 2022.
Chief Superintendent of Customs, Bukola Omoniyi, explained the deployment of various software solutions to counter smuggling and enhance revenue collection. “We have the geospatial intelligence software that shows the location of all customs offices. Body cameras will be introduced, connected to the system to monitor officers’ presence. The software also monitors satellite feeds to identify potential dangers. Drones will also be deployed, providing comprehensive surveillance to inform enforcement officers about smuggling activities,” she said.
National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, stated that the project’s overarching goal is to implement a comprehensive solution across all administrative and operational activities of the NCS. This aligns with the service’s mandate for effective tariff collection, border security, smuggling prevention, and data management concerning the movement of goods across Nigeria’s borders.
Related Posts
Ahmed Ogunshola, General Manager of TMPL, noted that the project would deliver a robust technology architecture, deploy necessary technology across all NCS sites within the approved timeline, and ensure organization-wide capacity building for sustainable implementation. “Once fully implemented, the project will encompass all customs activities, including duties collection, clearance operations, and smuggling suppression,” he added.
The Customs Modernisation Project signifies a major step towards modernizing Nigeria’s trade infrastructure, aiming to enhance efficiency, revenue collection, and border security through advanced technology.
