• NCS says system failure complaints are Consumer-specific
FORMER Vice President, Affiliation of Nigerian Licensed Customs Brokers (ANLCA), Mr. Kayode Farinto, has urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to reinforce communication over slowdowns skilled on processing cargo clearance on the B’Odogwu throughout the peak durations, notably as import actions enhance in the direction of the end-of-year season.
Farinto mentioned some customers had raised issues over the slowdowns skilled, noting that the “Ember months” historically sees a surge in import exercise, which additionally include heightened stress on all port methods, each digital and bodily, requiring strong methods and logistics.
In the meantime, the Nationwide Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, dismissed claims that the B’Odogwu platform suffered a systemwide outage, insisting that the reported points had been probably private technical challenges affecting a single consumer.
Maiwada mentioned there was no proof of a normal system failure and urged people experiencing difficulties to channel their issues by the suitable assist desk.
“If a criticism has documentation points or issues particular to him, I feel it’s higher he rolls out his downside to the assistance desk crew and discover out what the issue is, to not make a normal conclusion that the whole system is just not working. If he’s the one one complaining and others are importing and haven’t complained, it means it’s an issue peculiar to him that must be addressed,” he said.
The Freight Forwarder and Customs Dealer, mentioned disruptions anyplace inside the logistics chain, particularly with expertise downtime, can create ripple results on cargo launch, provide chains and enterprise timelines, particularly for perishable and time-sensitive imports and exports.
He mentioned repeated system failures and instability disrupts port operations, leading to billions of naira in monetary losses to the financial system, urging NCS to reassure the buying and selling group with clear updates, improved consumer assist channels, and a long-term optimisation plan that ensures uninterrupted service supply as commerce volumes develop.
“The availability chain disruption is inevitable as well timed entry to uncooked supplies and completed items has been compromised, inflicting manufacturing delays, potential manufacturing unit shutdowns, job losses, and better shopper costs.
“System failures additionally undermine Nigeria’s reliability as a buying and selling associate, deterring overseas funding and diminishing worldwide business confidence thereby, inflicting a reputational injury to the nation’s buying and selling group,” he mentioned.
Farinto additional appealed to the Ministry of Finance and the Nationwide Meeting to proceed supporting the continued modernisation of Nigeria’s customs processes, whereas guaranteeing that stakeholders’ suggestions is mirrored in future system enhancements.
