Shoboiki urges stakeholders to comply with NICIS for trade facilitation

Funso Olojo |

Customs Area Controller of Murtala Mohammed Airport Command , Mrs Jayne Shoboiki, has implored Importers and their agents to embrace the new Customs clearing process; Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System II (NICIS II) that was launched in the Command recently.

Shoboiki, while explaining the importance of the new customs clearing process, disclosed that the new automation platform will enhance goods clearance and trade facilitation.

The new automation process is an upgraded version of NICIS that is made up of the ASYCUDA++ processing and risk management system.

Those incorporated into the NICIS system include modules for E-Manifest, E-payment, an electronic form ‘M’, Risk Assessment Reports (RARs) now Pre Arrival Access Report (PAAR) and Passenger Baggage Entry Declaration.

One of the huge benefits of NICIS is its ability to interface with other Government Agencies and Private Stakeholders who are still working toward upgrading their systems in ways conducive to eventual creation of fully integrated e-trade platform.

However, NICIS II has an increased automation, with increased use of Risk Management and reduced rate of physical examination of goods.

NICIS II has the capacity of streamlining clearance by introducing a Trade Portal Manager (TPM) used by Traders to capture declaration from any point with their Phones, Ipads, and Laptops etc and an automatic triggering of release after payment.

With the introduction of this NICIS II platform at the MMA Command, the Customs Area Controller enjoined the Command’s Stakeholders to cooperate with the Nigeria Customs Service as the upgraded platform will improve the clearance processes and facilitate regional trade using Nigeria as a hub for goods in transit to other countries.

Shoboiki noted with concern the teething problems the stakeholders are passing through at the initial stage and implored them to bear with the System as the Technical Team Unit from Abuja and Webb Fontaine are still around to resolve all the initial problems and put Stakeholders through before leaving the Command.

While thanking all Stakeholders for their usual understanding and corporation, the CAC disclosed that she has met with the Terminal Operators and sought their understanding in the area of demurrage as all necessary measures are being put in place to resolve all challenges.