By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief
ABUJA — The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, has attributed the transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to the deliberate deployment of technology across virtually every aspect of Customs administration.
Adeniyi spoke during a two-day retreat between the NCS and the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise in Abuja, aimed at strengthening legislative oversight and reviewing the Nigeria Customs Service Act.
In a statement issued by the Customs spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada, Deputy Comptroller, on Sunday, the Comptroller-General said technology had enabled the Service to improve the speed and efficiency of its operations.
He said, “Technology helps us to work faster and more efficiently. We started by deploying digital solutions into personnel administration, postings, staff matters and pensions before extending them to our core operational responsibilities, and we will continue until virtually every aspect of Customs operations is technology-driven.”
Adeniyi said the Service had also introduced advanced technological solutions into its enforcement operations, including virtual shooting simulators, geospatial intelligence and digital surveillance.
“We are deploying geospatial intelligence to map our patrol routes and position our checkpoints more efficiently across the country. Combined with modern training facilities such as our virtual shooting range, these innovations will significantly strengthen our enforcement capabilities,” he said.
The Customs boss added that the Nigeria Customs Service Act provided the legal backing for several of the Service’s modernisation initiatives.
He said, “The law requires us to modernise our operations. Initiatives such as the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, Advance Ruling, Time Release Study, scanner deployment and other technology-driven reforms are all backed by the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act.
“Our responsibility is to continue implementing them to support the Federal Government reform agenda.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise, Senator Isah Jibrin, expressed satisfaction with the reforms introduced under Adeniyi’s leadership.
Jibrin said the reforms demonstrated efforts to improve the efficiency of the NCS and the utilisation of resources allocated to the Service.
He said the visit enabled lawmakers to witness the transformation of the Service firsthand.
“We have heard about these reforms from afar, but today we have seen them ourselves. The transformation taking place in the NCS is remarkable, particularly in the deployment of technology, modern infrastructure and operational innovations that are repositioning the Service for greater efficiency,” he said.
The senator added that the retreat had given lawmakers a clearer understanding of how funds appropriated to the Service were being deployed.
“When the NCS comes before the National Assembly seeking approval for capital expenditure, we now have a clearer understanding of what those resources are being used for.
“The reforms we have seen today clearly demonstrate that government funds are being invested responsibly to strengthen Customs operations, improve trade facilitation and enhance national revenue,” he said.
As part of the programme, members of the committee toured the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja, where they were briefed on the Service’s ongoing modernisation initiatives, technology-driven operations and institutional reforms.
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