The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sensitised stakeholders on the recently launched One-stop-shop (OSS) initiative, a centralised system where all Customs units jointly handle interventions on flagged declarations in one place and at one time.
The Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Lagos, Mohammed Babandede who represented the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi explained that the OSS enhances trade facilitation, promotes efficiency and strengthens accountability by enabling joint review, examination and decision making in one location.
He added that the CGC in his wisdom, decided to roll out the trade facilitation tool because he is passionate about trade facilitation.
“We want to make our ports competitive and friendlier so that importers and exporters can patronise and make use of our ports.
“Stakeholders should key in by understanding the workability of the OSS ,so that together we will facilitate trade, provided they comply with what is expected.”
Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Olawale Onigbanjo who is the OSS Project Manager and Technical Supervisor , while delivering his presentation said the OSS targets for 48 hours travel clearance, which is to improve from current average as well as consolidating travel checks and decision-making into one coordinated process to enhance stakeholder satisfaction.
According to him, it also covers international operations of all customs units involved in travel clearance and enforcement and implemented in coordination with other government agencies for joint inspection.
Onigbanjo further explained that the OSS focuses on handling flagged or non-compliant declarations through a unified process as there would be a wider scope towards the application of bonds as a form of financial guarantees going forward on the OSS platform.
He affirmed that the OSS will set clear Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to monitor impact on clearance time and stakeholder satisfaction.
“The scope of this initiative is that the process applies to all imports and exports travel processing at Nigerian seaports, airports and land border stations. So, if your declaration is flagged and is being brought under the OSS initiative, the examination will be conducted in collaboration with other relevant government stakeholders as it pertains to your declaration.
“It aims to facilitate trade, minimizes bureaucratic bottlenecks through joint inspections and decision-making. It promises efficiency in that it reduces travel bill time.”
In his closing remark, the Area Controller of the Command, Emmanuel Oshoba appreciated the CGC for introducing the initiative.
He assured stakeholders that the NCS intends to make the OSS initiative a success while every challenges that may be faced will be solved.
“We will continue to work with you to address any challenges that arise.Thank you for your support and input.”
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