The Nigeria Customs Service is conducting a two-day workshop on geospatial techniques for its officers and men. The training aims to enhance border security and boost Nigeria's economy by equipping staff with the necessary skills to detect illegal routes and combat smuggling activities [21815d64].
The introduction of geospatial technology will enable officers to monitor and intervene in smuggling activities more effectively, reducing the need for physical scouting in the field. The training is expected to strengthen the Customs' efforts to improve trade in Nigeria and provide accurate and timely intelligence for successful anti-smuggling operations [21815d64].
In addition to the geospatial technology training, the Nigeria Customs Service has launched a Time Release Study (TRS) in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to increase efficiency in Nigerian ports. The TRS methodology, developed by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), measures the total duration of time from goods' arrival at the customs border to their release. The TRS falls within the domain of the Federal Government's renewed hope agenda and aims to create an enabling environment for businesses and provide excellent services for economic cooperation [7a897610].
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, emphasized the importance of Nigeria joining the TRS initiative to not be left behind in global development. The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, urged Customs to focus on trade facilitation to enhance trade volume and generate more revenue without increasing levies. The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted that adopting international best practices will promote trade growth in the country. Adeniyi expressed optimism about the current TRS initiative, leveraging lessons learned from past experiences to ensure success [7a897610].
The combination of geospatial technology training and the TRS initiative represents a significant milestone in Nigeria's quest for economic growth and development. These efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service demonstrate their commitment to enhancing border security, improving trade facilitation, and creating a favorable environment for businesses in the country.