Senate Commends Customs reforms …backs CGC’s technology-driven modernisation agenda

By Clement Omanibe, Abuja

The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise has lauded the comprehensive reforms introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi.

It expressed delight that the reforms are clear evidences that government resources are being prudently invested in repositioning the Service for greater efficiency.

The commendation was made during a two-day retreat between the NCS and the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise aimed at strengthening legislative oversight and reviewing the Nigeria Customs Service Act.

As part of the programme, members of the Committee toured the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja, where they were taken through the Service’s ongoing modernisation initiatives, technology-driven operations and institutional reforms.

We have heard about these reforms from afar, but today we have seen them ourselves.

After the tour, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise, Senator Isah Jibrin, said the visit had afforded lawmakers the opportunity to witness the Service’s transformation firsthand.

“We have heard about these reforms from afar, but today we have seen them ourselves. The transformation taking place in the NCS is remarkable, particularly in the deployment of technology, modern infrastructure and operational innovations that are repositioning the Service for greater efficiency,” Jibrin said.

He added that the retreat had further convinced lawmakers that public funds appropriated for the Service were being judiciously utilised.

“When the NCS comes before the National Assembly seeking approval for capital expenditure, we now have a clearer understanding of what those resources are being used for. The reforms we have seen today clearly demonstrate that government funds are being invested responsibly to strengthen Customs operations, improve trade facilitation and enhance national revenue,” he said.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, attributed the Service’s progress to the deliberate deployment of technology across virtually every aspect of Customs administration.

He explained that “technology helps us to work faster and more efficiently. We started by deploying digital solutions into personnel administration, postings, staff matters and pensions before extending them to our core operational responsibilities, and we will continue until virtually every aspect of Customs operations is technology-driven.”

We are deploying geospatial intelligence to map our patrol routes and position our checkpoints more efficiently across the country.

The CGC disclosed that the Service had also introduced advanced technological solutions into its enforcement operations through virtual shooting simulators, geospatial intelligence and digital surveillance.

“We are deploying geospatial intelligence to map our patrol routes and position our checkpoints more efficiently across the country. Combined with modern training facilities such as our virtual shooting range, these innovations will significantly strengthen our enforcement capabilities,” he said.

“The law requires us to modernise our operations. Initiatives such as the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, Advance Ruling, Time Release Study, scanner deployment and other technology-driven reforms are all backed by the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act. Our responsibility is to continue implementing them to support the Federal Government reforms agenda,” Adeniyi said.