By: Joy Enamuna

Russell Clark, an expert from the World Customs Organisation (WCO), has praised the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its collaborative efforts with international bodies and its commitment to enhancing trade facilitation. Clark made this commendation during a five-day workshop on Post Clearance Audit (PCA), held from October 7 to October 11, 2024, in Abuja. The event, aimed at improving trade processes in Nigeria, was a joint effort between NCS, the WCO, the World Bank Group (WBG), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

At the workshop’s opening ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, represented by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs for Tariff and Trade, Adekunle Oloyode, expressed his deep appreciation to the WCO, WBG, and IMF for their critical support in advancing PCA reforms. He highlighted the importance of the workshop in building a robust PCA system, which complements the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme.

“The PCA and AEO are both crucial for strengthening compliance frameworks and pushing forward the trade facilitation goals of the NCS. PCA, in particular, is essential for ensuring compliance in international trade and safeguarding national revenue, even after goods have left Customs control,” Adeniyi said.

He further emphasized that effective post-clearance audits empower the NCS to detect and prevent commercial fraud, recover lost revenue, and improve overall trade facilitation. “PCA is a vital tool for balancing trade facilitation with regulatory compliance,” he added.

Adeniyi also noted that a strong PCA framework would foster a secure trading environment and streamline international trade processes. He praised the use of online virtual sessions during the workshop, which provided real-time insights and facilitated the exchange of knowledge on global best practices. These innovations, he said, would help modernize the NCS’s PCA procedures.

The CGC outlined key areas of focus for the workshop, which included risk management, data-driven methodologies for identifying high-risk transactions, developing detailed audit plans, capacity building, and leveraging international expertise and technology.

He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained to further strengthen Nigeria’s PCA system and protect national revenue.

Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Suleiman Chiroma, from the NCS Strategic Research and Policy Department, also highlighted the importance of PCA as a tool for streamlining Customs operations. He emphasized that the NCS’s collaboration with international organisations is essential to the long-term success and efficiency of its operations.

The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s trade facilitation and Customs processes, with ongoing support from global partners.