The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says that it has officially introduced its’ One-Stop Shop (OSS) ‘initiative’ destined to reduce the loading time to 48 hours.
NCS spokesman Abdullahi Maiwada, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Maiwada said the initiative was recently presented during a meeting between NCS management and customs area controllers, chaired by the Comptroller General (CG), Adeniyi Adewale, in Abuja.
He said the meeting deliberated on the modernization agenda of the service and the role of leadership in the impulse of reforms between the commands.
Maiwada cited the CG as describing the OSS as a “transformative change” that aligned with the best global practices and the ease of the federal government to make a commercial policy.
Adeniyi said that the reform was designed to disinfect operations, reduce duplication of efforts and guarantee predictability in customs procedures.
“The OSS initiative will not only shorten the authorization time from 21 days to 48 hours, but will also strengthen the confidence of the merchant, restore transparency and make our operations more friendly to business,” said Adeniyi.
The CG recognized the role of technology in customs operations, but also emphasized the importance of physical commitment to officers.
“As much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are times when the physical presence, which joins under the same roof, adds weight and value to our deliberations,” he said.
The head of the NCS said the reform was tested in the Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne ports before being expelled throughout the country.
He added that the initiative was constitutionally supported by Law NCS 2023 and aligned with the Commercial Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organization.
“This is not just a policy. It is a declaration of intention that reflects our determination to build a modern, transparent and friendly customs service for merchants,” he said.
The spokesman said that under the frame OSS, all customs units would work together in marked statements, eliminating multiple controls and reducing delays.
According to him, shipments authorized under the OSS will not be subject to reinterception, thus reducing costs and improving commercial facilitation.
He said the meeting also provided a platform to review the NCS responsibility framework, including a new central board that tracks authorization times, interventions and satisfaction of interested parties.
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