The Federal Government has concluded plans to procure N20 billion worth of scanning equipment to boost revenue generation across the nation’s airports and seaports.
This was revealed yesterday, by the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), while accompanied by the Minister for Finance, Kemi Adeosun, during an on-the-spot assessment of Customs equipment and operations at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Customs boss also expressed confidence of getting the money to procure the equipment as he disclosed that the operating system at the airports will be reviewed, and any equipment that does not meet the required standards will be replaced with modern ones.
He said: “It is the most interesting and gratifying thing that the Minister of Finance is here, and we are going to achieve this by getting money available to procure these things.
“We are confident to get the money, equipment and we deploy them, and I am sure we have well trained personnel to be able to handle it, and since we have support of the Ministry of Finance we will get the money and equipment.
“It is also about modernisation of the already existing equipment at the airports and seaports the Nigerian Customs Service uses for operation, and we need to review the whole system, get new ones and deploy them, and any scanner that does not meet our present requirement we have to change it.
“We are looking at overall N20 billion to be able modernise our operations with the new equipment. This will also enhance trade facilitation and it is part of revenue generation.”
Ali also said the move was to modernise the operations of Customs in revenue generation and facilitate more patronage of the airports and seaports across the country.
“The moment we can make a seamless operation for traders and passengers they will want to patronise our airports, do business with us and that will improve revenue generation.”
However, acknowledging the major role Customs plays in revenue generation the Minister for Finance, Kemi Adeosun, explained the purpose of their visit at the airport, and said there was need to improve efficiency of Customs by investing in new and modern equipment in the form of scanners.
“We are here with the Comptroller General of Customs just to look at the Nigerian Customers Service operation at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. As you know Customs is one of the big revenue generating and security agencies of the nation.
“We are here to really look at the operations and to assess the need for new equipment, particularly new technology in the form of scanners, and have equipment that will enhance their ability to do their job and that is the reason of our visit.
“The officers are doing a good job but we need more equipment and technology because they need to be able to scan suitcases and have prior knowledge of what is inside, and the days where Customs will just open the suitcases and search without information are over. So we need to actually invest in equipment Customs needs and improve its performance.
According to Adeosun the equipment will be an investment and there will be increase in efficiency in revenue generation collection to pay for the equipment, and as at the moment there has been quiet inefficient way operations are done which the government wants to improve efficiency in the service.
“Also is going to mean that containers at the ports will be cleared much quicker which is good for business and we can scan them and know exactly what is inside them even without opening them.
“It is very big investment for Customs we are looking at and we are very confident that the team can deliver our objectives as part of the 2016 budget”, she stated.
