Customs chief unveiled $3.2 billion e-system to eliminate manual processes

A $3.2 billion modernization project to end manual operations was launched on Thursday by retired colonel Hameed Ali, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Ali expressed his enthusiasm for the project, which aimed to fully automate the NCS, at the opening of the Project Management Office in Abuja. He explained that the project was started in order to enhance the service’s operations and get rid of corruption. Trade Modernization Project Limited managed the project.

“We are seeing state-of-the-art technology today.

Therefore, he said, “It is with pride that we reflect on the journey we set out on since 2015.”

According to Ali, the NCS decided on automation because it has many advantages, such as promoting effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency. The project would give the NCS the ability to adjust to shifting market dynamics, automate operations, and generate income to support Nigerians’ economic development and well-being. The comptroller-general claimed that despite the difficulties, they persisted in completing the project.

He declared, “The inauguration is a celebration of NCS’s tenacity, foresight, and resilience.

Every action we have taken demonstrates how committed we are to harnessing the power of digitisation.

Regarding worries that implementing the technology would result in a reduction in the use of labour, Ali said such claims were unfounded.

Ali said that the NCS’s modernization would make it possible for the service to hire more personnel. He explained that in order to effectively cover the borders and ensure the safety of the populace, the project would require a large amount of labour. He emphasised the importance of adhering to international standards.

Mr. Saleh Ahmadu, the chairman of TMPL, said that the project would “invest $3.2 billion over a 20-year period.

He said that the investment would bring in more than $200 billion. He clarified that financial partners had helped secure $300 million in financing for the project’s initial phase. There was also a $9 million performance fund that was backed by cash.

According to Ahmadu, increasing staff capacity is one of the project’s top priorities, and this will receive a significant amount of funding.

The Federal Executive Council approved the e-customs project on April 20, according to NAN, and Bergman Securities Consultant and Suppliers Limited was designated as the project sponsor.

The principal financiers would be Africa Finance Corporation and UFC, and Huawei Technologies would be the principal technical service provider.

The concessionaire had given the government N4.135 billion ($9 million) as security for the project’s successful completion. In order to finance the project’s initial phase, the concessionaire also completed the depth facility tensions for $300 million (N138 billion).

According to the former minister, the revenue sharing arrangement saw the concessionaire receiving 45% of accruals to the comprehensive input service scheme and the Federal Government receiving 55%.

The Nigerian Responsible Action Scheme receives 5% of the proceeds, and the Federal Government receives 75%.