As part of efforts to intensify the ease of doing business for compliant traders at the nation’s 39 sea ports, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has initiated the implementation of Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme benefits for the first set of approved Importers, Exporters, SMEs, Customs Licensed Brokers and Logistics Operators.
The initiative, which is took effect this week is aimed at introducing new standards in line with global best practices, enhancing rade facilitation, ameliorating existing difficulties within the supply chain and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global trading community.
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Customs National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abdullahi Maiwada.
Adeniyi, emphasised the need for robust support from all stakeholders, including other government agencies (OGAs) and development partners to promote the success of the pilot test.
The pilot scheme, Adeniyi said, will be operational across all ports, where valuable insights and learning will be gathered to enhance service delivery.
These benefits, Adeniyi said, will be administered continuously, contingent on the compliance of all selected participants with the programme’s provisions.
The CGC stated further that it is pertinent to note that these inaugural participants were carefully chosen based on their outstanding compliance within the supply chain, following an exhaustive three-month AEO validation process designed to uphold the highest selection standards.
Additionally, the AEO programme is being implemented under the guidance of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), which has played a pivotal role by providing experts for capacity development, training, and supplying essential materials.
Similarly, the CGC said key partners such as the World Bank‘s Accelerating Revenue Mobilization Reforms (ARMOR) and various Customs administrations across the globe with emphasis on His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) where benchmarking exercises were conducted, have significantly contributed to the success of this AEO initiative.
“As part of the programme, consignments belonging to the selected Authorized Economic Operators will receive preferential treatment, including Automatic PAAR Registration, Direct Green Lane Routing, Dedicated Relationship Manager, and AEO Branding,” he said. The NCS, the CGC said, remains unwavering in its commitment to promoting transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business.
The Service readily anticipates full-scale implementation of the AEO programme, further solidifying its dedication to fostering a seamless and secure trading environment for all Nigerians.
The successful implementation of the pilot scheme, Adeniyi said, represents a key milestone in the Service’s pursuit of aligning with best practices towards efficient service delivery.
