CUSTOMS KICK-START IMPLEMENTATION OF B’ODOGWU ACROSS ITS DESIGNATED COMMANDS

By ifeanyi Edwin nwabugu

In line with its extant resolve to up its game in service delivery and provide a top notch and seamless technology driven services, the Nigeria Customs service NCS has finally commenced a pilot implementation of B’ODOGWU documentation in its three ports commands .This was made known to newsmen by the Controller General of Customs Wale Adeniyi. This strategic initiative represents a bold step in the service delivery reforms aimed at modernising trade procedures and enhance operational efficiency. Therefore following the service command approval to integrate Form M’ process into B’ODOGWU trade portals, preparatory activities has commenced in the three designated commands, these include Port and Terminal Multi services Limited (PTML),Tin Can Island Port and Apapa Area Command. According to the official statement as released by the Custom image maker AC Abdullahi Maiwada explained that these sites were selected to drive the pilot phase in a controlled and strategic environment allowing for a close monitoring, stakeholder’s engagement and performance assessment. The statement reads thus ” during this period a total of 544 Form M’ entries were processed, of these 283 were successfully registered, 10 were validated and 26 were stored for further action, additionally entries were submitted, 120 were returned for correction, 11 were queried , 14 had their PAAR locked and 39 were recommended for approval. These figures refflects the robust testing and interactive learning across all participating commands ” He further provided a detailed analysis of assessments report, documentation made, declaration generated including various recommendations made for approval etc and remarked that the successful implementation of Form M’ pilot phase on the B’ODOGWU platform signals the beginning of a nation wide transition that will streamline custom documentation, enhance transparency and promote faster clearance timelines. He therefore advices that in order to enhance trade facilitation and supply and supply chain security in the ongoing pilot phase, NCS encourages all carriers (shipping and airlines) to commence transmission of manifest to the B’ODOGWU platform, while ensuring that all key stake holder are adequately engaged and prepared for full documentation under the visionary leadership of CGC Adeniyi, the service will continue to pursue automation initiative that will consolidate its role in trade facilitation, revenue generation and national development, he stated