The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday, unveiled an advanced ruling system to enhance trade facilitation and meet the N5.07 trillion revenue target set by the federal government for 2024.
It also explains that the system is essential for promoting trade facilitation, reducing compliance costs, and fostering a conducive business environment.
Speaking at the “Advance Ruling System launch and stakeholders engagement” in Abuja, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said that the NCS is executing various strategies to achieve its goals, provided that it has the right tools and measures.
Adeniyi said: “NCS is projected to collect a total revenue of NGN 5.07 trillion for the fiscal year 2023. While this goal is ambitious, it is attainable with the right measures and mechanisms in place. That’s why we are implementing several strategies to enhance our capacity to achieve this feat.
“The early results have been positive, and we expect to build on these initiatives, including ensuring stakeholder engagement and involvement every step of the way.
“This event serves as both a launch and a stakeholder consultation, laying the groundwork for the rollout of Advanced Ruling. In the coming weeks, we will conduct workshops and sensitization sessions at Customs Area Commands to ensure that all stakeholders are well-informed and prepared to utilize this new mechanism effectively.
“We are grateful for the support of the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), our steadfast partner in today’s event, and for their continued support of our trade facilitation activities under the Nigeria Energy Support Programme.
“It is essential to acknowledge that initiatives like Advanced Ruling necessitate investments in capacity building for both officers and stakeholders.
We are committed to leveraging our internal capacity while exploring collaboration opportunities with external partners like GIZ. Together, we can ensure the successful implementation of Advanced Ruling and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our nation.
“As part of the kick-off of Advanced Ruling, I have given approval for the development of a handbook to provide guidance to traders and customs officers. This handbook will serve as a valuable resource, ensuring consistency and transparency in our rulings.”
Adeniyi noted that the recent inauguration of the Single Window steering committee by the President also underscores the high-level commitment to enhancing trade facilitation in Nigeria.
The Comptroller-General said the implementation of Advance Ruling is timely, given the significant number of disputes the Service has had to handle between 2020 and 2023, and the absence of a structured mechanism has also impacted revenue.
The event was attended by stakeholders, including the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), who have been a steadfast partner in the service’s trade facilitation activities under the Nigeria Energy Support Programme.