WITH NIGERIA’S LEADERSHIP OF THE WCO, THE COUNTRY MUST LEAD THE WAY IN MARITIME DEVELOPMENT & CUSTOMS REFORMS —PARTICIPANTS ADVOCATE @ LEAGUE OF EDITORS’ SEMINAR
COMMUNIQUE
The event which was bb to examine the current dynamics of the nation’s ports economy, especially at a time Nigeria is presiding as chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council was attended by stakeholders, players and captains of industry.
Organizations that graced the occasion includes the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, among others.
The seminar was chaired by none other but Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Charles Edike Rtd, a revered elder and statesman. Fwdr. Eugene Nweke, Head of Research, SEREC, represented by Mr. Francis Anieze-Chukwu delivered the lead paper titled “Nigeria’s Championship of WCO Council: The Impact On Nation’s Economy’. Goodwill messages were given by stakeholders which overall, applauded the CGC while urging him to represent Nigeria and Africa well.
Those who graced the occasion includes Captain Ebebeogwu lheanacho, Charles Okoroefe Ph.D, Otunba Frank Ogunjemite, represented.
The ES/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council , Dr Pius Akutah also delivered a paper titled “The Impact of Strong Law in achieving Effective Port Economic Regulation in Nigeria”.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration Agency , NIMASA DG, Dr Dayo Mobereola also presented a paper on Efforts at Tackling Piracy in Nigeria, GoG. Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service from different formations and commands were in attendance.
OBSERVATIONS
*It was observed that the chairmanship of the WCO Council is strategic in providing leadership in the area of policy frameworks on trade facilitation and global customs agenda.
*It was also observed that the tenureship of the WCO Council imposes on Nigeria the obligation to make our seaports and airports being the fulcrum of maritime logistics, efficient and functional.
*Participants also noted that with Nigeria chairing the global customs council, the nation’s ports system and border posts should be exemplary of efficient service delivery, seamless transborder cargo documentation and trade facilitation.
*It was further observed that Nigeria at this period of its chairmanship of WCO Council should take its maritime and customs trade image much more seriously since its trading and fiscal policies becomes a measuring lens sub regional and continental trade stability and for the attraction of foreign investments.
*It was observed that B’ Odogwu migration is still grappling with challenges that require urgent remedy.
*Participants observed that the Nigeria Customs has adopted the right policies through the introduction of Time Release Study, Data Analytics, Advance Ruling Application, Authorized Economic Operator, B’ Odogwu Platform and Acquisition of Rapid Scanners System.
*Flowing from the day’s presentations, participants observed that studies on customs processes and cargo handling procedures should be included in schools curricula in Nigeria, while urging the management of Nigeria Customs to liaise with the Ministry of Education towards achieving same.
*It was also noted that the Nigeria Chairmanship of the WCO is critical to the implementation of AfCFTA in the area of accelerating harmonization of Customs procedures, and mutual recognition of AEO’s across Africa.
*Furthermore, participants observed that Nigeria’s new standing at the WCO should be matched by domestic legal reform and rigorous applications of conventions and trade rules to secure the full economic benefits of the Ports.
*According to participants, above can be achieved through strong , clear and enforceable laws, which are prerequisite for credible port economic regulation.
*With Nigeria chairing the WCO Council, participants also noted that the tenureship places customs leadership at the centre of global best practices on trade facilitation and customs governance.
*Participants noted that given Nigeria’s rising profile in global trade, the country have a responsibility to convert law into outcomes, such as the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill.
*Despite that NIMASA has ensured that Nigeria has been removed from the list of nations proned to piracy, participants observed the need for the Agency to continue to drive efforts at ensuring that the nation’s waters and GoG are totally free of pirates attacks.
RECOMMENDATIONS
At the end of paper presentations, participants recommended the following:
-That there is a need for data sharing between Customs, Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, as well as other regulatory bodies to propagate and maximize benefits of responsible partnership and collaboration.
-It was recommended that chairmanship of WCO Council obligates Nigeria to stand as the pointer in continental trade and industrialization in the subregion and beyond.
-It was also recommended that ti make above possible, the Nigeria Customs Service must continue to consolidate on its reforms, and to harness all the potentials in AfCFTA for the benefit of the country.
-Participants also recommended that obligation is on Nigeria Customs to lead the way in the area of maritime and customs trade transparency, to enthrone predictability and compliance in transactions; and to redefine and sustain the nation’s fiscal policies.
-It was also recommended that customs should improve the operability of B’Odogwu both in terms of trade safeguards as well as speed and efficient syncronization of all policy templates and data.
-Participants recommended the utilisation of the chairmanship of the WCO Council to advocate for Nigeria’s interest in the area of trade harmonization, digital customs capacity development and enhanced trans-border management.
-It was resolved that without data no serious economic growth can be planned nor serious gains made; noting that data alone can be used to predict trade and promote investments.
-It was further recommended that the Nigeria Customs should lead the consolidation of critical reforms across the national economy to close all forms of economic leakages and other porosity within the trading logistics and customs ports operations.
-In addition, it was recommended that
the Media should continue to support the current Chairman of the WCO to succeed through constructive, objective and developmental reporting.
-It was in further recommended that a review of the reforms under CG Adeniyi has introduced very vibrant policies through the introduction of Time Release Study platform, Data Analytics, Advance Ruling Application, Authorized Economic Operator, AEO, B Odogwu Platform including Acquisition of Rapid Scanners; and therefore should be promoted and adopted within the sub region and beyond.
-It was further recommended that to further the cause of AfCFTA especially in the area of accelerating the harmonization of Customs procedures, mutual recognition of AEOs across Africa, customs administration in Africa especially should enthrone data standards to reduce friction amongst member states and to position Nigerian ports as regional trade hub.
-It was recommended that as Chairman of the WCO Council, Nigeria should lead the way in its customs and Port processes , ensure that there are adequate number of scanners at the Ports to examine cargoes towards enhanced clearing of goods.
-Finally, participants observed that this international leadership must be mirrored at home – that robust customs operations will deliver little if the port economic framework remains premised on rent seeking and monopoly pricing.
-Participants suggested the need for the establishment of data driven monitoring programme, adopt state support notification rules , strengthen enforcement capacity and enhance labour stability by fully implementing the Maritime Labour Convention. MLC.
-Participants recommend that for trade to be facilitated and for Nigeria to be respected as a hub, in the light Nigeria being the Chairman of the WCO Council , there is need to ensure that the roads leading to the nation’s Seaports are in good state.
CONCLUSION
In summary, participants were of the view that Nigeria has a big role to play in advancing the overall interests of Africa in customs administration and customs trade to align with global best practices. They argue that trade facilitation, operational data analytics, enforcement and compliance remain the cornerstone to achieving a successful tenure of the CGC and Nigeria as WCO Council chairman.