The Customs Consultative Committee, CCC has congratulated the Customs Area Controller of the Tincan Island Port Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi over his appointment as the Chairman of the Trade Facilitation/Time Release Studies Committee by the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
CCC, in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by its Secretary, Dr. Eugene Nweke described Nnadi’s appointment as Chairman of the Committee as meritorious having been a pioneer member of the trade tool domestication, development and experiments team on the Time Release Study, TRS years back.
The statement aptly recalled that he actively represented the Service and contributed positively during the port reforms programme of the federal government, culminating in the ports concessions process in 2005 to 2006 as the then Public Relation Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Apapa Command.
It added that the process coincided with the migration from NCS Automated System for Customs Data ASYCUDA to ASYCUDA 2.7 Site and later to ASYCUDA++ which it said served as the precursor of NICIS.
The statement further recalls the roles the CAC played in the Committee that midwifed the NCS migration from manual to e-Payment with Apapa Command and Ecobank as pilot, just it recalled his edge as an alumni of the prestigious National Institute of Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos/Plateau State.
“It is based on these tall professional background on general Customs administration and practical experience on the subject of international trade facilitation and relevant applicable trade tools that the Customs Consultative Committee has no iota of doubts on your capacity to deliver on this peculiar vision and mandate of the Comptroller General of Customs and his management team in line with the renewed hope mantra of the present administration, ably led by His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Wherefore, this rare appointment is essentially crucial to both the trading public, aside from bringing the Comptroller General of Customs and his management team vision to the fore, especially on the most and widely canvassed subject, the TRADE FACILITATION function of the Nigeria Customs Service, it is indeed a critical task that must be discharged honorably, passionately, professionally and with utmost commitment for the common good of Nigerians in general, and in particular the trading public (that is the port users and consumers of the port goods & services).
“At this juncture, the Customs Consultative Committee wishes to posit here that, without doubt, trade facilitation is a critical core function of the NCS, and most desirable in the present imports and exports clearance activities across the international frontiers and the inherent value adding supply chain.
“In the light of this, the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC), appreciate and understand that, the Customs regulations play a crucial role in the nation’s economy, especially in the transportation and logistics industry, and as such, urges you and your committee members not to lose sight at the peculiar functions in relation to:
✓ Compliance with international standards with regards to the business implications for trade facilitation and liberalization, as enshrined in the WCO/WTO/UNCTAD recommendations.
✓ Maintaining the security, safety & fluidity of the trade and upholding the model of port value adding supply chain and gamut of the maritime industry.
✓ Prompt legitimate trade facilitation, so as to reduce administrative burdens on businesses.
✓ Firm regulatory essence and strategic collaboration, as businesses and consumers benefit from customs regulatory overtures, via safeguarding businesses interests (in lieu of intellectual property rights – IPR).
✓ Non compromising the revenue, safety and quality of products being transported across international frontiers.
✓ Deployment of data analytics for national statistics, planning, forecasting and effective administrative goals.
“It is on this note that, the Customs Consultative Committee ( CCC) deems it necessary to beckon on Business interests/the trading public and relevant agencies to understand the need for prompt collaborations and compliance with the Customs trade laws and regulations in other to ensure the legal, smooth flow and efficient movement of goods during clearance processes”, it stated.
While assuring that the CCC shall continue to uphold to the prism that under legitimate trade facilitation rules, business interests must embrace all trade facilitation tools with a sense of equity, the statement observed that it was also important to state that protection of national interests were not a mere special treatment rather in the context of trade facilitation, it could be seen as a deferential and fair treatment for the peculiarities, especially so, as a country with differential capabilities and needs.
While congratulating Comptroller Nnadi and members of his committee, the Customs Consultative Committee prayed for God’s guidance in the discharge of his briefs.
Photo: Comptroller Dera Nnadi, Customs Area Controller of Tincan Island Customs command.
Send your press invite, news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @PrimetimeRepor1 and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526.
