Oyetola admits failure of NPA’s electronic call-up system, says it’s been compromised

…urges Customs, stakeholders collaboration to enhance trade facilitation

The Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has openly acknowledged the failure of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) electronic call – up system introduced to ease movement of trucks and address traffic congestion along the Apapa ports, saying the system has been compromised.

The Minister who stated this while speaking at the 2024 International Customs Day organised by the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos on Friday was
responding to concerns on the worsening gridlock caused by petroleum tankers and trailers along the Oshodi- Apapa Expressway.

President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba had noted that the obstruction of tankers on the port access roads is preventing import and export containers from accessing the port on time, thereby hindering trade facilitation and revenue collection for the government.

Oyetola noted that apart from the failure of the e- call up system, the dilapidated port access roads are also responsible for delays experienced in moving cargoes in and out of the ports.

He said, “The e- call up system put in place to ensure that trucks don’t come to the port until it is their turn, unfortunately, has been compromised. We don’t keep to routine operations looking to cleanse and make things work as expected. Another thing is the condition of the access roads to the port but I am happy to say that that has been taken up with the Minister of Works and the President has agreed that the access roads are repaired.

“I believe with that, there will be efficiency in terms of taking the goods out of the port.”

Oyetola urged consignees to utilize the various dry ports spread across the country and rail infrastructure for movement of their cargoes to remove pressure of trucks from the road.

“Again, we should encourage our consignee to use more of the dry ports spread across the country and use the rail. We now have the opportunity for rail connecting most of these dry ports. If we do that, we will have less trucks on the roads and the pressure on the roads leading to the port will be minimized, ” he said.

The Minister, while congratulating the Nigeria Customs Service on the commemoration of the 2024 International Customs Day with the theme “Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose” said collaboration is germane in achieving trade facilitation and security of the internal supply chain.

He noted that the recent passage of the Nigeria Customs Act 2023 would create a favourable environment for trade, address challenges and also encourage partnership between the public and private sectors.

Oyetola assured of his ministry’s support and collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to achieve a more sustainable use of the oceans and coastal resources for economic growth and development.

“In this era of increased interdependence, Customs and its stakeholders must work hand in hand to ensure the overall success of initiatives that will help unlock the immense potential of collaboration and increase revenue generation. At this juncture, let me commend the leadership of customs for agreeing to abandon the physical examination of cargoes at our ports and prioritising the use of scanners. This development would not only increase revenue, it will ensure ports efficiency and competitiveness. And it will reduce the cargo turnaround time.

“It is by committing to cooperation that we can enhance our effectiveness in safeguarding our waterways and facilitating global trade, ” he said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi said the theme for the year”s celebration aligns with its core objectives and 3-point agenda of consolidating, deploying innovative solutions, and collaborating with stakeholders.

The agenda, he said, has been the guiding framework of the NCS over the past seven months of his administration.

Adeniyi who highlighted some of the achievements of the NCS arising from collaboration with stakeholders and other government agencies said the Service remains committed to fostering purposeful engagement with both traditional and new partners with a view to enhancing its operations.

“The recent Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC’s) Conference in December 2023 stands as a testament to the success of this approach, resulting in substantial achievements through in-depth interactions with our valued stakeholders. The Lagos Continental Declaration document was a product of exhaustive consultations with stakeholders. This document is presently undergoing implementation. Initial measures, including the resolution of multiple alerts, reduction of customs checkpoints, and improvement of officer conduct, have been actively undertaken. Additional components of the
declaration will be pursued with thoroughness, and we anticipate completing due diligence by the end of the first quarter of this year, ” he said.

Adeniyi announced that the Time Release Study (TRS), an exercise aimed at optimizing its processes and reducing the time it takes for goods to be released, would be launched in February.

He called on the cooperation and participation of all stakeholders including the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC), as it works towards achieving seamless and timely trade processes for the benefit of all.

Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of awards made by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to stakeholders including the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Muhammed Bello-Koko; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah, Customs officers among other dignitaries.