NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE ICT MODERNISATION PROGRAMME:

“ACHIEVING OPTIMUM IMPACT WITH

CUSTOMS ICT MODERNISATION”

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CGC DIKKO INDE ABDULLAHI CFR Comptroller General of Customs, Nigeria Customs Service

& Vice Chairman WCO, West & Central Africa

WCO IT Conference, Dubai May, 2013

ICT Contribution to Co-ordination

Accurate trade information

Broader inter agency relationship

Enhances port and logistics processes

Facilitates border work flow and security

coordination

Predictability, Transparency and Timely

intervention

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ICT as an enabler not a driver has given the opportunity for a closer coordination of the following:

Business to business. Government to government. Government to business.

Machines, computers and similar gadgets

need to be manipulated for the attainment

of desired results.

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The role and importance of ICT in running organisations is ever increasing however…

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The HUMAN FACTOR in these relationships therefore forms the backbone of ALL coordination efforts.

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The right technology must be provided for the particular country’s environment to support efficient trade

The issues involved in customs and border management of the 21st century transcends beyond one institution alone.

Based on the above, the role of the Human

Resource becomes paramount.

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The Nigeria Customs Service Efforts..

Realizing the key role of the Human Factor in ICT modernisation efforts, the NCS management in 2009 identified certain challenges that could affect the effective adoption and utilization of ICT in its daily operations

To mitigate this, the administration came up with the Six Point Agenda.

Capacity building

ICT

Co-ordination

Integrity

Collaboration with stakeholders

Welfare

THE NCS 6 POINT AGENDA

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This has led to the successful harmonization and collaboration of efforts and functions of all agencies

towards achieving trade facilitation in cross border trade

Further emphasis was placed on the 4Ps to ensure a holistic approach to our development efforts…

THE GOLDEN 4PS

PEOPLE

PROCESSES

PLATFORM

POLICY

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Upgrading the welfare standards of officers

Human resources development -capacity building and training.

Change management.

Administrative and organisational strategy.

Acknowledging the critical roles of both the user and operator community which is vital in achieving successful coordination amongst and across all parties.

Our focus on PEOPLE include:

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Our process efforts in both government and private sectors have included:

Enhancing efficiency of government agencies and

private stakeholders.

Reduction of processes and documents required for

import and export.

Time and cost reduction.

Simplification and harmonisation

Partnership

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We have worked on the Provision and

Implementation of the right Platform by:

Ensuring the use of modern and scalable

technology

Provision of adequate infrastructure and logistics

Ensuring operational and system training to all

concerned including Other Government Agencies

(OGA ‘s) and private stakeholders.

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Policy and adequate Political Will.

Provision of legislative framework.

Legal review periodically to ensure

modernization is in line with laws.

Assurance of political will as part of a

national agenda and drive

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In view of the foregoing ICT alone cannot

guarantee coordination among border agencies.

Other factors would surely stimulate growth,

inter agency and cross –stakeholder synergy.

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Emergence of political will.

Institutional re- engineering towards modernization of functions and roles.

Training and continuous capacity building of users and operators.

Harmonisation of business processes and removal of bottlenecks and duplications.

Deliberate adaptation of successful efforts of other border administrations towards collaboration and inclusiveness.

The key success factors of the NCS ICT Modernisation efforts have included…

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Development of shared risk management

techniques for control, facilitation and enforcement purposes.

Incentives to compliance and positive corrective approach to traders.

Effective national information management. Policy predictability and trade policy guidance

for easy compliance and enforcement. Etc. Providing timely access to information including

the www.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng information portal

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Conclusion

ICT is an enabler and should not be a driver in cross border

coordination between agencies, stakeholders and trading public.

It is the tool for Risk profiling and intelligence sharing.

Provides a platform for effective service delivery.

Ensures multi agency border operations - build synergy and

operational bridges.

Guarantees modern cross border trade monitoring and

facilitation without compromising ethics and collective goals.

However, the MIND SET and ROLE OF PEOPLE is paramount

for the realisation of ICT modernisation goals. 15

Thank You for your attention.

CGC DIKKO INDE ABDULLAHI CFR Comptroller General of Customs, Nigeria Customs Service

& Vice Chairman WCO, West & Central Africa

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