Technical Hitches Mar Customs Auto Clearance Platform

Customs’ newly introduced advanced auto platform for goods clearance, Nigeria Customs Integrated System (NICS)2, has suffered some setbacks in its operations across the ports in Nigeria.

The hiccups according to operators of the system include delay in the process of entry and issuance of passwords to applicants.

The service earlier in the year launched the platform, which took off at the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) area in Lagos, even as it has been operational in all commands where revenues are collected into the coffers of the federal government.

NICIS 2 is an advanced version of ASUCYDA plus from the customs single window portal.

Speaking on the development, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Tin Can Island Command of Customs, Mr.Uche Ejesieme, confirmed that the platform had experienced some hiccups since its introduction to port operations but added that, the technical crew from Webb Fortane responded to address the hiccups. .

Ejesieme noted that the hiccups were not peculiar to Tincan Island command alone but to all other commands where revenues are collected.

“Though in any technological innovations, there are bound to be teething problems and challenges but the truth of the matter is that since the introduction of NICIS 2 and the technical know-how background, some of those challenges we have expected that can frustrate the whole experiment actually became a seamless flow.

“Issues like lodging entries, making declarations, server or network failure and certain data information are the minor hiccups associated with NICIS 2 but it has helped us in the area of revenue collection.

According to him, some of the operators who had applied for passwords could not get it sooner adding that, the high traffic had slowed down its issuance.

Uche said despite the minor challenges associated with the system, the command was able to collect a whooping N76 billion in the first quarter of 2018.

He maintained that the amount generated in the first quarter of 2018 was higher than previous years adding that despite low volume of cargoes, NICI 2 has helped to achieve the feat in revenue generation.

Ejesieme said the command under Customs Area Controller, Comptroller MUSA M.B.A, made it possible to collect such huge amount.

Speaking on some of the innovations put in place by the command’s Area Comptroller, the spokesman reiterated that the help desk rejigging, time release study and valid bank bond have made it possible for the huge revenue collection.

He noted that the issue of NICIS 2’s teething problems was a general problem and not limited to Tin Can Island command of customs but all of the units and commands.