SEREC backs customs’ digital drive to tackle cartels, smuggling
The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre says the Nigeria Customs Service’s digital transformation will dismantle cartels and tackle smuggling in the country.
This was announced in a weekly bulletin released on Thursday.
It said the customs policy thrusts had the potential to break the cartels’ jinx and be a game-changer in combating illicit trade. The bulletin noted that customs comptroller-general Adewale Adeniyi’s administration had taken a stance against cartels and smuggling, with its focus on digital transformation and port automation.
“The SEREC commends C-G Adewale Adeniyi for his policy thrusts on trade facilitation, revenue optimisation, digital transformation, and stakeholder engagement. These initiatives have shown promise in tackling the menace of cartels and smuggling in Nigeria’s international trade and shipping space.
“Digital transformation reduces opportunities for cartels to exploit manual processes and human intervention, increasing transparency, efficiency, and accountability. Port automation tracks and monitors cargo movements, reducing the risk of smuggling and other forms of exploitation,” it said.
It explained that trade facilitation streamlines customs procedures and reduces bureaucracy, while revenue optimisation reduces the cartels’ chances of exploiting loopholes and evading taxes. It added that stakeholder engagement builds trust and cooperation between the customs administration and stakeholders.
The agency said that this was critical in identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities in the system.
According to the bulletin, cartels and smuggling activities have been a long-standing issue in Nigeria’s international trade and shipping space. It noted that these activities were sustained by sophisticated networks and insider trading networks within ministries and regulatory agencies.
“Bonded terminals have been particularly vulnerable to exploitation by cartels, with many being used as conduits for trafficking,” it said.
The SEREC official said that the recent seizures of contraband and illicit goods by the NCS have highlighted the severity of the problem.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Showbiz
Actor Femi Adebayo unveils entertainment hub in Lagos
Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Femi Adebayo, on Tuesday unveiled an entertainment hub, a film and media production facility in Oregun, Lagos.
Politics
Tinubu’s door-to-door movement suspends campaign over plane crash
The President Bola Tinubu Door-to-Door Movement has suspended its campaign activities for one week following the killing of military operatives in an aircraft crash.
States
Gov Mbah appoints Richard Agu as transport commissioner
Mr Ozor resigned after an alleged Economic and Financial Crimes Commission probe into embezzlement of billions of naira.
Lagos
Yoruba leaders establish platform for unity, collective action
Yoruba leaders across socio-political and advocacy groups have established Yoruba Parapo as a central platform for unity, consultation and collective action.
Politics
Gov Idris buys house to relocate mosque in Malami’s Birnin Kebbi community
Governor Nasir Idris approved the purchase of a building to relocate a temporary mosque in the Go-Slow Road area of Birnin Kebbi, a community near Abubakar Malami’s family house.
States
Aguleri-Anam Violence: Soludo orders ceasefire, sets up inquiry commission
On Friday, the Anambra government ordered the closure of Otuocha Market after a clash between Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities, which resulted in five deaths.
