…urges stakeholders to strengthen synergy for the success of TRS
…as Nigeria Customs Launches TRS in Lagos
Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun has said the launching of Customs Time Release Study would ultimately foster a business environment that is friendly and also encourage foreign entrepreneurship into the Country.
The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, stated this while launching the Nigeria Time Release Study Project for the benefit of enhancing efficiency in Port, competitiveness, and economic development, on Thursday 8, February, 2024 at Marriott Hotel, Lagos.
According to him, if Nigeria successfully key in to TRS initiative which is a World Customs Organization tool used systematically to analyze various processes and procedures involved in Customs Clearance, the country will not be left behind in global development.
He added that several countries in Europe, Asia, Middle East and North America have adopted the methodology and have recognized its significant in enhancing trade facilitation.
The TRS project, he said, fall within the domain of the Federal Government renewed hope agenda which demonstrated commitment to unleash full economic potential and also define best approaches to creating enabling environment for businesses in addition to providing excellent services for economic population.
He enjoined all stakeholders involved in the time release study to strengthen their synergy to ensure the success of the tool and further commended World Customs Organization for providing technical assistance necessary to guide the process of TRS.
Also speaking, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola CON, explained that TRS concept is rooted in the drive to streamline Customs procedures and improve trade facilitation. The minister, who was represented by Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, noted that the study will provide an insight for Nigeria Customs into areas where enhancement can be made to improve efficiency and effectiveness of Customs Clearance processes which will aid in facilitating trade, reduce transaction cost and improve efficiency.
He said the study is a unique analysis carried out by Customs authorities world wide to evaluate and enhance the efficiency of the Customs clearance for goods. TRS measures the time taken for goods to be released for the Customs Control upon arrival at the port.
On the ministry collaboration with Nigeria Customs, the minister said “The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in alignment with the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President and the mandate of the ministry has intensified collaboration with NCS to vigorously pursue the development of shipping, Maritime sector to ensure sustainable development and the ministry is already seeing positive results from the renewed partnership and collaboration with the Nigeria Customs as it has led to a significant reduction in ship turnaround time, cargo dwell time, and efficiency at the Port.
“The synergy has aided in the development of a standard operating procedure for transshipment at the Lekki Port by Customs enabling the Port to become a hub of Maritime trade in the Country.
Oyetola also expressed gratitude to WCO for providing necessary guidelines and standards for conducting the study by ensuring systemic and standardized approach across different customs administration and also commended Nigeria Customs for adopting modernized standards, technologies of creating more efficient and transparent Customs Procedures that support the economic growth and international trade.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, affirmed that launching Time Release Study underscored Customs commitment to improving it’s Operations.
He explained that the concept is a data-driven initiative that enables stakeholders to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies accurately, this creating solutions that will enhance trade efficiency and promote economic development.
His words, “It is a strategic endeavor aimed at improving how we facilitate trade, ensuring alignment with international best practices, and contributing substantially to national development.
“TRS plays a crucial role in assessing and enhancing trade facilitation by providing detailed insights into the efficiency of our processes.
“Our dynamic and rapidly changing environment requires swift and adaptable responses to the needs as they arise. Adopting a scientific and data-driven approach is paramount not only for customs administrations but also for all stakeholders involved in international trade.
“With the complexities of modern trade, traditional evaluation methods often fall short in accurately identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies across the entire trading environment.
“The TRS offers a systematic and precise analysis, enabling us to identify areas for improvement with accuracy. This scientific approach enhances the credibility and reliability of our findings, ensuring that efforts to optimize trade facilitation are targeted and effective.
“Embracing these methodologies allows stakeholders to collaboratively work towards enhancing trade efficiency and promoting broader economic development,” Adeniyi said
Another keynote speaker, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), expressed satisfaction as Nigeria Customs took the center stage in changing the narratives at the Port but expressed discontent on how blame is pushed to Customs on several occasions for the delays experienced at the Ports when all major actors in the industry are responsible for the delays. Jamoh advised all stakeholders in the industry to brainstorm by collaborating with Customs to resolving Port issues.
“We are to brainstorm on how we add value. We need to collaborate and communicate, cooperate with those party concerns in the areas of bottlenecks in having equipped Port and making the Sector, Country a better place. “We need to take clearing and cargo handling seriously, so that we can all celebrate the outcome of the study’s findings, recommendations and implementations,” he said.
On his part, Secretary General of World Customs Organization, Ian Saunders, in a virtual presentation, tasked Stakeholders, relevant actors in the Maritime industry to ultimately ensure the concept’s continuity.
To him, though WCO provides substantial assistance to members to aid them in implementing the organisations instrument and guidance, it will be in the interest of the country assisted to maintain a certain course and own the effort of ensuring TRS Continuity.
This implementation support, according to him, helps members to realize the vision of Harmonizing effective and efficient customs operations that enables trade and supply chain security.
