The ongoing World Customs Organization(WCO) assisted Time Release Study(TRS) concept is seen as a game changer for Nigeria Customs Service, allowing them to deliver high quality service quickly and efficiently.
Implementing TRS Methodology, using TinCan Island Port, TCIP, as a Pilot, will not only increase flexibility in the discharge of their duties, it will creates more confidence in the Stakeholders, thus enhancing NCS Collaboration with Stakeholders and also improve trade facilitation
TRS is a concept that has proven it’s value over the years with clear examples from every corner of the globe and it’s a WCO tool used in assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of clearance processes at Ports and Borders.
The concept entails measuring the total time taken for the release of goods from the arrival at the Port until their release, including all necessary procedures and documentation.
In a preparatory survey carried out recently by NCS, more than 42 respondents out of those drawn from different sections of the Maritime industry have strongly agreed that the ongoing World Customs Organization(WCO) assisted Time Release Study(TRS) at TinCan Island Port, Lagos, Nigeria, will significantly contribute to the trade flow of Cargo in Nigeria.
The bar graph above depicted how 42 individuals out of those that filled the questionnaire strongly assent to the positivity of the methodology, with one person neutral in his response, while only one individual strongly disagreed in the study.
On whether the Concept has the potential to reduce costs for businesses involved in cargo clearance in Nigeria, 32 strongly believed in TRS as a means of reducing costs of businesses involving Cargo Clearance, six persons were neutral in their responses while two disagreed on the terms as shown in the chart below:
30 people out of the respondents also assent that if fully implemented, it will enhance transparency in the release or clearance process of cargo in Nigeria and 44 vouch for the Study to be extended to other Ports and not be limited to just Lagos or the Pilot Station, as shown below in the chart below:
Meanwhile, just as 55 percent of the respondents believe TRS will drastically shorten the period of Cargo clearance in Nigeria, only 1 percent of the respondents strongly disagreed with the motion “TRS will drastically shorten the period of Cargo Clearance in Nigeria. Whereas almost all the respondents who are Stakeholders in the industry got prepared to collaborate with the working group to ensure the success of the ongoing TRS.
The statistics above shows that many Nigerians believed so much in TRS as it will positively impact in clearance process of cargo.
However, further research reveals that TRS requires strong management commitment and supervision in order to be effective; Other Stakeholders must be included in the clearance process in order to get useful analysis; the TRS must be accompanied by other data which includes -goods group, mode of transport, location, inspection channel among others. Likewise the risk management function needs to be strengthened for the purpose of facilitating trade.
In order to obtain an accurate picture, the variation of data must be captured in addition to the average time, and to accurately identify the cause of any delays, the measurement of time must be supplemented by a questionnaire to be completed by stakeholders.
Just as Ian Saunders of WCO once emphasized, Time Release Study isn’t a single activity but an undertaking whose results are realized with members measuring the impact of reform over time and when they conduct studies and multiple border clearance locations. It serves different goals- macro economic approach
