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By Steve Agbota
The Chairman of Blue Diamond Logistics China, Mr Festus Mbisiogu, has urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to further modify its B-Odogwu platform to cut cargo clearing time from two to three days to just two or three hours.
Mbisiogu, who spoke during the company’s 20th anniversary celebration in Lagos, said delays in the issuance and rectification of additional Debit Notes (DN) remained one of the major bottlenecks confronting importers and logistics operators at Nigerian ports. He said the Customs Service had made significant progress with the introduction of B-Odogwu, particularly in improving transparency, cargo tracking and the speed of the clearance process, but stressed that further improvements were necessary to fully achieve seamless trade facilitation.
According to him, importers sometimes wait for two or three days after receiving an additional debit note before obtaining the final document required to make payment and complete the clearance process while appealing to Customs to automate and fast-track the process.
“I want to appeal to Customs to look into the issue of a DN, an additional debit note. Sometimes, if we receive a debit note, it takes two to three days before we can get the original debit note to pay duty.
“What is the essence of B-Odogwu? I want them to modify it so that once a container or consignment has a debit note, let the processing be between one, two or three hours. Why two or three days? “No system is perfect. I want them to improve on the additional debit note. Once you have been asked to pay additional money, fast-track it within two to three hours, not two to three days.
That is one of the challenges that we have,” he said.
Mbisiogu commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team for introducing innovations aimed at modernising Customs administration and improving the cargo clearance process.
He noted that before the deployment of B-Odogwu, clearing cargo through ports such as Apapa and Onne could be considerably more difficult because of limitations in the previous systems.
He said the indigenous Customs platform had improved cargo visibility by enabling stakeholders to monitor consignments electronically.
“Before now, clearing cargo from Apapa and Onne ports was a bit difficult because of the system in place. The current leadership of Customs deemed it fit to create a platform they named B-Odogwu.
“It is an indigenous platform designed to solve our problems. Most of our cargo can now be tracked online. Once you get your PAAR, you can view the movement of your cargo, even when that cargo is being released. It has helped to fast-track the clearing process. Instead of one week, it is now two or three days to get your consignment out. So, I have to praise them for that,” he said.
Reflecting on the company’s two decades of operations, he said one of his major achievements was helping Nigerian importers overcome the challenges associated with sourcing and shipping goods from China.
He said he established the business after identifying a gap in the relationship between Nigerian entrepreneurs and Chinese suppliers at a time when many Nigerian traders relied more heavily on Dubai and Hong Kong for their international sourcing.
According to him, the company has positioned itself as a bridge between Nigerian importers and Chinese manufacturers and suppliers by providing interpretation, sourcing, logistics and shipment support.
“One of the visions I had in mind was to bridge the gap between Nigerian importers who trade across the globe, mainly with China. Before now, Nigerians focused more on Dubai and Hong Kong. Then they discovered China around 1999 to 2000. So I discovered a vacuum. The indigenous companies are the ones managing the shipment of goods to Nigeria, and Nigeria is the giant of Africa. I was so determined to bridge that gap.
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“The biggest achievement I know I have achieved is making sure that our importers, Nigerian entrepreneurs who want to import from China, can now do business with ease. I stand as a middleman between them and the supplier. I have a trained Chinese team that can translate the language for them, help them sell these goods and make sure that they receive their goods on time,” he said.
He added that his objective had always extended beyond making profit to improving the ease of doing business for Nigerian traders importing from China.
However, Mbisiogu also disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic posed one of the biggest challenges to the company’s operations, particularly because of the prolonged lockdowns in China.
He said the restrictions severely disrupted operations and nearly forced him to shut down the company, noting that several shipping companies did not survive the period.
“One of the biggest challenges I have had over the years, especially during COVID, was being in China. During that time, we didn’t move around because of the lockdown. We stayed from 2018 to almost 2021 doing nothing. At a point, I nearly closed down my company. About four or five shipping companies closed down. But because of the dream I had and the passion, I continued,” he said.
He also identified language barriers as another major challenge confronting businesses operating between Nigeria and China, particularly in communicating commercial proposals and processing business correspondence.
Mbisiogu disclosed that Blue Diamond Logistics’ terminal had undergone the verification process and was cleared by the Customs authorities.
Earlier, Mbisiogu said the company had remained resilient despite the challenges it encountered over the past 20 years, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth.
“Despite the numerous challenges we encountered over the years, we remained steadfast in our vision and purpose. By the grace of God, we overcame every obstacle, transforming each challenge into a stepping stone that contributed significantly to the remarkable growth and success we enjoy today,” he said.
He said Blue Diamond Logistics China had consistently invested in professional expertise, innovation and operational excellence, adding that the company’s commitment to quality service had earned it international recognition.
According to him, the company is now focused on expanding its technology-driven logistics services, particularly through enhanced real-time cargo tracking.
“Over the past two decades, Blue Diamond Logistics China has consistently invested in developing the professional expertise, innovation and operational excellence of its workforce. This unwavering commitment to quality service has earned us global recognition and positioned us among the Top 10 Logistics Companies in Asia,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mbisiogu said the company would continue to enhance its services and provide greater value to customers.
He said one of its key strategic initiatives was to improve its real-time cargo tracking system, allowing customers to monitor their consignments from overseas warehouses through transit until arrival at the company’s warehouses in Nigeria.
“The initiative, would provide customers with greater convenience, transparency and confidence in the movement of their cargo. Customers will be able to track their cargo from the comfort of their homes or offices,” he said.
