The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has
championed an Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) program to enhance the
efficiency and predictability of trade facilitation efforts in the country.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC)
Adewale Adeniyi, during a stakeholders’ forum
in Abuja, said the program would foster collaboration between the
Nigeria Customs Service, Other Government Agencies (OGAs) and Experts to boost
AEO programmes.
The CGC underscored the determination
needed to work together and ensure that the narrative is changed about the ease
of doing business in and around Nigerian ports.
"And if you have observed, you will
also see that AEO cuts across virtually every player in the sector, the
exporter, the importer, the government agencies, regulatory agency, the customs
and everybody in one way or the other. So this allows us to address some of
those issues. So that when next operators talk about compiling how much it
takes them, we will see data that are a little bit more friendly," he
said.
He recalled that the NCS in February 2024
launched a Time Release Study (TRS) as another measure to optimise the trading
experience within Nigeria.
Assuring the stakeholders of the Service's
commitment to run the pilot program of AEO successfully, the CGC said: “As we
are taking the steps with you with the implementation of the Authorised
Economic Operator program, which hopefully will start from the 15th of April
2024.”
He also explained that the objectives of
the pilot program as a course were to evaluate the visibility and effectiveness
of implementing the AEO program within the Nigeria Customs Service and to
solicit feedback from all our key stakeholders.
He said: “All these pilots that we want to
run, we aim to identify potential challenges, fine-tune our processes, and lay
the groundwork for a full-scale rollout of the AEO program.”
He expressed optimism that the Service will
be committed to fostering transparency, inclusivity and collaboration while
ensuring that the program's designs and execution align seamlessly with
international standards.
"Why we do this is we want to remain
attuned to the unique realities of our local context. Seven key stakeholders
that are legal entities whose operations span across the international supply
chain have been carefully selected by the pilot programs,” he said.
The CGC revealed that selected Importers,
Exporters, Small and Medium Enterprises, Customs Licence Agents, Logistics Operators,
and Government Agencies as pilot stakeholders to run the pilot scheme of the
AEO program in Nigeria.
He expressed his readiness to partner with
business stakeholders to enhance trade in Nigeria.
He also urged the participants to expedite
their commitment to ensuring the potential of the AEO program, which would
foster a culture of efficient customs processes compliance, integrity, and
collaboration that will propel Nigeria.
“This is a collective and transformative
journey we must come together with renewed determination. Knowing that together
we can shape a future that knows no boundaries and prosperity with no limits,”
he said.
Also, Awa Nnenna, Chief Superintendent of
Custom and Project Manager of the Authorised Economy Operator said the pilot
phase of the program is designed to streamline Customs clearance processes
while ensuring transparency and inclusivity in line with international
standards.
Awa noted that the key benefits of the AEO
program include expedited Customs clearance procedures and the establishment of
mutual trust between Customs authorities and accredited operators.
"By facilitating smoother trade
operations, the programme aims to stimulate economic growth.”
On his part, Director-General of the Small
and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii,
commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its proactive approach to engaging
small-scale business owners through the AEO program.
Odii, while reiterating his commitment
towards supporting the AEO programme, said the initiative will contribute to
the growth of Nigeria's GDP and Foreign Exchange reserves.
He emphasised the importance of creating
avenues for domestic business owners, particularly SMEs, to participate and
benefit from such initiatives.
“I
believe that this program will enable SMEs to enhance their investments and
leverage the opportunities presented by the AEO window.”
He added that the program will not only
streamline trade processes but also change the narrative surrounding trade in the
country, ultimately fostering a more conducive environment for business growth
and development.
“As we are launching this scheme, I am
looking forward to the many more testimonials within the next six months. What
we want to do is get all the testimonials to help ease the operations at the
port and see how these will trickle down to job creation and just helping to
increase livelihoods of small business owners in Nigeria,” he added.
CEO of Nigeria Shippers Council, Mr Pius
Akutah, commended the NCS for the initiative and reiterated the council's
commitment towards supporting and ensuring the success of the AEO programme.
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