West Blue Consulting: Trusted IT partner For Nigeria Customs Service

One of the major functions/roles of the Nigeria Customs Service is a collection of revenue i.e. Import and Excise Duties and accounting for same, prevention and suppression of smuggling and Trade Facilitation.

As part of the management's stance on stamping out the menace of corruption in the clearing of goods and collections of data from various agencies and collaborative functions with government Agencies including CBN, Police, NDLEA, SON, NAFDAC, FIRS, DSS, Nigeria Army and many other stakeholders. The need to introduce the Nigeria Trade Hub and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report was top of the agenda of the management in line with 21st-century methods that can be adopted.

Before the termination of the inspection contract by the Federal Government about three years ago, the process of clearing goods by the destination inspection companies was tough and aided corruption in the system. While going from one department/agency to the other was also very tiring, yet the need to pay monies that were not necessary was also promoted during the destination inspection regime.

As part of the CGC's goal to effectively take-over of all Customs import and export clearance functions from the destination inspection companies, he relentlessly achieved this core in spite of the outrage and calls by dubious people not to successfully see the take-over of destination in Nigeria.

Since the take-over of destination inspection functions, Nigeria can now boast of Effective risk management, full implementation of modern Customs procedures, strengthening of Post Clearance controls and re-engineering of processes,

effective use of advanced information system through electronic data interchange (EDI). eg. e-manifest and Alerts, elimination of archaic Customs procedures inconsistent with developments in transportation technology and business practices, seamless real-time transactions, paperless flows and connectivity with other stakeholders, development of a single window for harmonizing and standardizing international trade information, increased awareness/capacity building of stakeholders, more cost efficient and predictable border processing of goods and people, adoption of i-border (intelligent border) solutions, use of biometrics and improved baggage management at Airports, hone strategic direction and use of capacity building measures to minimize the operational gaps between the Service and stakeholders, developing the capacity to conduct compliance and audits at trade premises, requirement of financial guarantees from all Authorized Economic Operators, building a Service that has integrity and good image.

So far, it is clearly seen that technology advancement in the country as taken a positive toll on the economy of the country, in less than two years of taking over, the Nigeria Customs Service Modernization drive has gone beyond national recognition and is now being praised as the very best practice amongst international collaborators.

West Blue Consulting developed the Nigeria Trade Hub and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report and in less than two years, the whole world has been looking at how NIgeria Customs Service modernized its operations and has adviced other customs administration to adopt same.

The prospect with West Blue Consulting team is on a sure foot print, the testimonials are so numerous and the people of Nigeria are set to make her their honorary citizen.

Just like the popular way of going slow and steady, corruption in the system has been fully tarnished and internally generated revenue for the year 2014 and 2015 has risen by 20% with all allocations duly submitted to relevant agencies.

Under the administration of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Abdullahi Inde Dikko, Nigeria Customs Service now stands high and tall in international sphere, needless say why should we not count the blessings of the good in Nigeria Customs Service and stop the incessant politics that are incorrect.

Different countries have started keying into this new sphere, let us support the real course of trade facilitation and concentrate on how we are going to become and remain the giant in the ECOWAS Common External Tariff regime that has just kicked off fully.

The Nigeria Single Window is a one-stop shop for both Nigerian and International trade actors. It is a cross-agency web platform that is designed to integrate the various fast expanding electronic trade services from Nigerian Government agencies, opening a new era for trade efficiency.

The successful implementation of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report has modernized the importation aspect of the trade process in Nigeria and improved the experience and confidence of the operators and actors in the trade chain.

We have since enjoyed the immeasurable partnership with West Blue Consulting, They have remained our trusted IT partner so far.

Any country, set to be developed and maintain high growth in its territory will have to be modernized, else the world will leave you behind.

We emplore the people of Ghana to accept their own and reckon with what they have to offer.

www.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng
www.facebook.com/Nigeriatradehub
www.twitter.com/ Nigeriatrade
Nigeria Customs Service