Problems of the Nigeria Custom Service & Solutions
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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is an independent service under the
supervision of the Nigerian Ministry of Finance. The Nigeria Customs
Service is responsible for the collection of customs revenues for the
federal government, the facilitation of both national and
international trade, and in charge of anti-smuggling activities
through the borders. Nigeria customs service is an important agency in
the generation of revenue for the country. In 2019, the Nigeria
Customs Service is reported to have generated a total amount of 1.3
trillion naira as revenue.
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Problems of the Nigeria Customs Service & Solutions
Unfortunately, also, the Nigeria Customs Service is known to have a
reputation that has been marred by numerous allegations of corruption
and fraud scandals. Even till date, it is common for bribes to be paid
by individuals to NCS officials. Many also resort to smuggling and
undervaluation of goods. This article addresses the problems of the
Nigeria Customs Service and solutions to these problems.
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Inept customs and immigration machinery
Many who have come in contact with Custom service officials can
testify of their unprofessionalism and incompetence when handling
matters. In order to address issues such as smuggling of goods, the
government needs to strengthen the capacity of customs and immigration
officers so they can better administer the country’s trade policies
and laws.
Incompetence of NCS officials
In 2018, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo accused officials
of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of not coming to office on time
for examination of cargoes. This is just another report of the
ineptitude of NCS officials which has been a stumbling block to the
ease of doing business. NCS officials have also been accused of
continual interception of goods at the ports and the land borders. One
can only wonder why officials of the Customs would be stopping
containers for another round check just after the port gate. This also
frustrates the National Single Window (NSW) project meant to hasten
the cargo clearance process at the nation’s ports. The National
Single Window is a platform set up for the purpose of integrating all
agencies involved in the clearance of cargoes at the ports. The
unprofessionalism and incompetence of NCS officials is one of the
major issues with the Nigeria Customs Service.
Corruption
In 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo announced an import prohibition
of 41 products which he believes could be produced in the country.
Some of the products banned included: printed textiles, bottled water,
toothpicks, leather shoes, furniture, plastics, etc.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The ban was poorly enforced by custom and government officials.
Corruption which is a big problem in the country is also a serious
problem in the country’s Customs Service. Most of the big-time
smugglers are wealthy and highly connected people with influence in
government. These ones can easily bribe their way through or avoid
being prosecuted for smuggling.
Ignorance and Illiteracy
Another problem of the Nigeria Customs service is the illiteracy and
ignorance of the Nigerian people who encourage smugglers and stifle
the work of the service. Nigeria customs service officials have
reported how some Nigerians escort smugglers into the country. Some
are sympathetic towards them and even waylay, officials, when they
have seized the goods of smugglers.
Solutions to the problems of Nigeria Custom Service
Automation of the clearing process
One of the solutions to the problem of bribes at the ports and borders
is the automation of the clearing process of goods. When the clearing
process is automated, it will be more customer-friendly with ease of
operations and will facilitate more trades. It will also restore
public confidence in the Nigerian customs service’s clearing
procedures.
Policy reviews
The government needs to review many of its policies such as:
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme
Many abuse the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme and through this
policy, smuggle in low standard goods. The government needs to make
conscious efforts to block revenue leakages by visiting factories in
member countries so as to ascertain the eligibility of products.
Bureaucracy of importation and exportation of goods
The complexity and bureaucracy that surrounds the importation and
exportation of goods has nurtured illegal activities such as bribe
payments
Proper Investigation into misconducts
The government should set up a Special Team to investigate cases of
fraud (non-payment of appropriate duties) at the Port and Land
borders.
Intensification of Anti-Smuggling Operations particularly at the
Border Stations.
Discipline
In order to make NCS officials more disciplined, penalties and
sanctions should be put in place for erring officers. There should be
punishment ranging from reduction in rank to outright dismissal for
those caught collecting bribes or facilitating the smuggling of goods
Funding
The funding of the Nigeria Service is from 7% Cost of Collection. The
administration of the Nigerian Customs Service has reported that this
is not enough to cater to the needs of all of the service. Such needs
include:
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Provision of working tools
Barrack accommodation
Payment of salaries and allowances of officials.
Training of officials
The service has reported that the inadequacy of funding has resulted
in the Service’s request for intervention funds to meet her needs.
It is also reported that Nigeria Custom Service officials are the
least paid security agents in the country. This can contribute to the
unprofessional conduct of most officials such as collection of bribes.
Capacity Building
Officials in the Nigeria Customs Service need to be trained in modern
techniques of customs administration and according to international
standards. This is especially in the area of Information Technology.
Weak Legislation
The lack of cohesive policies to address problems such as the
importation of substandard goods has also contributed to the problem.
The government needs to put in conscious efforts in the implementation
of these policies so as to address these problems.
Land porosity
This is another problem that allows for smuggling into the country.
Many attribute this problem to the large expanse of land in Nigeria
through which smugglers can travel. This problem can be solved through
the approval of more custom posts, the introduction of modern
technology, increase of budgetary allocation so as to purchase
necessary equipment for the land and sea borders that will aid NCS
officials in doing their job well.
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'https://nigerianfinder.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php', {action:
'mts_view_count', id: '290854'}); });
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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is an independent service under the
supervision of the Nigerian Ministry of Finance. The Nigeria Customs
Service is responsible for the collection of customs revenues for the
federal government, the facilitation of both national and
international trade, and in charge of anti-smuggling activities
through the borders. Nigeria customs service is an important agency in
the generation of revenue for the country. In 2019, the Nigeria
Customs Service is reported to have generated a total amount of 1.3
trillion naira as revenue.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Problems of the Nigeria Customs Service & Solutions
Unfortunately, also, the Nigeria Customs Service is known to have a
reputation that has been marred by numerous allegations of corruption
and fraud scandals. Even till date, it is common for bribes to be paid
by individuals to NCS officials. Many also resort to smuggling and
undervaluation of goods. This article addresses the problems of the
Nigeria Customs Service and solutions to these problems.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Inept customs and immigration machinery
Many who have come in contact with Custom service officials can
testify of their unprofessionalism and incompetence when handling
matters. In order to address issues such as smuggling of goods, the
government needs to strengthen the capacity of customs and immigration
officers so they can better administer the country’s trade policies
and laws.
Incompetence of NCS officials
In 2018, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo accused officials
of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of not coming to office on time
for examination of cargoes. This is just another report of the
ineptitude of NCS officials which has been a stumbling block to the
ease of doing business. NCS officials have also been accused of
continual interception of goods at the ports and the land borders. One
can only wonder why officials of the Customs would be stopping
containers for another round check just after the port gate. This also
frustrates the National Single Window (NSW) project meant to hasten
the cargo clearance process at the nation’s ports. The National
Single Window is a platform set up for the purpose of integrating all
agencies involved in the clearance of cargoes at the ports. The
unprofessionalism and incompetence of NCS officials is one of the
major issues with the Nigeria Customs Service.
Corruption
In 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo announced an import prohibition
of 41 products which he believes could be produced in the country.
Some of the products banned included: printed textiles, bottled water,
toothpicks, leather shoes, furniture, plastics, etc.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The ban was poorly enforced by custom and government officials.
Corruption which is a big problem in the country is also a serious
problem in the country’s Customs Service. Most of the big-time
smugglers are wealthy and highly connected people with influence in
government. These ones can easily bribe their way through or avoid
being prosecuted for smuggling.
Ignorance and Illiteracy
Another problem of the Nigeria Customs service is the illiteracy and
ignorance of the Nigerian people who encourage smugglers and stifle
the work of the service. Nigeria customs service officials have
reported how some Nigerians escort smugglers into the country. Some
are sympathetic towards them and even waylay, officials, when they
have seized the goods of smugglers.
Solutions to the problems of Nigeria Custom Service
Automation of the clearing process
One of the solutions to the problem of bribes at the ports and borders
is the automation of the clearing process of goods. When the clearing
process is automated, it will be more customer-friendly with ease of
operations and will facilitate more trades. It will also restore
public confidence in the Nigerian customs service’s clearing
procedures.
Policy reviews
The government needs to review many of its policies such as:
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme
Many abuse the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme and through this
policy, smuggle in low standard goods. The government needs to make
conscious efforts to block revenue leakages by visiting factories in
member countries so as to ascertain the eligibility of products.
Bureaucracy of importation and exportation of goods
The complexity and bureaucracy that surrounds the importation and
exportation of goods has nurtured illegal activities such as bribe
payments
Proper Investigation into misconducts
The government should set up a Special Team to investigate cases of
fraud (non-payment of appropriate duties) at the Port and Land
borders.
Intensification of Anti-Smuggling Operations particularly at the
Border Stations.
Discipline
In order to make NCS officials more disciplined, penalties and
sanctions should be put in place for erring officers. There should be
punishment ranging from reduction in rank to outright dismissal for
those caught collecting bribes or facilitating the smuggling of goods
Funding
The funding of the Nigeria Service is from 7% Cost of Collection. The
administration of the Nigerian Customs Service has reported that this
is not enough to cater to the needs of all of the service. Such needs
include:
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Provision of working tools
Barrack accommodation
Payment of salaries and allowances of officials.
Training of officials
The service has reported that the inadequacy of funding has resulted
in the Service’s request for intervention funds to meet her needs.
It is also reported that Nigeria Custom Service officials are the
least paid security agents in the country. This can contribute to the
unprofessional conduct of most officials such as collection of bribes.
Capacity Building
Officials in the Nigeria Customs Service need to be trained in modern
techniques of customs administration and according to international
standards. This is especially in the area of Information Technology.
Weak Legislation
The lack of cohesive policies to address problems such as the
importation of substandard goods has also contributed to the problem.
The government needs to put in conscious efforts in the implementation
of these policies so as to address these problems.
Land porosity
This is another problem that allows for smuggling into the country.
Many attribute this problem to the large expanse of land in Nigeria
through which smugglers can travel. This problem can be solved through
the approval of more custom posts, the introduction of modern
technology, increase of budgetary allocation so as to purchase
necessary equipment for the land and sea borders that will aid NCS
officials in doing their job well.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
jQuery(document).ready(function( $) { $.post(
'https://nigerianfinder.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php', {action:
'mts_view_count', id: '290854'}); });
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