Nugeria attempts an image makeover

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has embarked on an information and charm offensive designed, in its words, to convince shippers that “operating processes and procedures have become almost seamless to the point where clearing of goods from various ports is no longer the nightmare it used to be”. A lengthy media release from the agency attributes the “amazing transformation of the NCS” to the comptroller-general of the service, Abdullahi Dikko. According to the report, frustrations suffered by shippers and visitors “were caused mainly by the corrupt activities of some officers and men of the Nigerian Customs who connived with some equally unscrupulous licensed customs agents to f leece them at every point”. It says corruption has been rooted out through a modernisation programme. In addition, a Pre- Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) introduced to facilitate the clearing of goods within four hours has helped eliminate corruption associated with human contact points and delays which resulted in demurrage costs. According to the report, the World Customs Organisation has recommended that other countries in the process of modernising their customs procedure implement the PAAR system.