By Steve Agbota
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday, joined the European countries, United States of America and countries in Asia by launching Time Release Study (TRS) for effective cargo clearance and trade facilitation.
Recall that the launch of the TRS by Customs in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO), was aimed at increasing efficiency in Nigerian ports.
The TRS methodology, developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), also offered a systematic approach to measuring the total duration of time from goods’ arrival at the customs border to their release.
Speaking in Lagos at the official launch of pilot scheme of TRS at the Tin Can Island command of Customs, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said for Nigeria not to be left behind in the global world of development, she must key into the initiative.
The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Lydia Jafiya, stated that TRS redefines best approaches to creating enabling environment for businesses and providing excellence services for economic cooperation.
“Several countries in Europe, United States and Asia, Middle East and Latin America have adopted TRS, recognising it’s significance in enhancing trade facilitation. So, for Nigeria not to be left behind in the global world of development, we need to key into this initiative,” he added
Edun further stated that the TRS falls within the domain of the Federal Government renewed hope agenda which demonstrates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to unleash full economic recovery for the country.
Also speaking at the event, the Comptroller -General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said that adopting international best practices will promote trade growth in the country.
Adeniyi stated that TRS would provide comprehensive insights into Customs operational’ efficiency, thus contributing to national development goals.
“Today we are joining other Customs administrations in the world that have embraced the tools developed by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), to promote the growth of international trade.
“The WCO remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing customs procedures through various instruments and
tools, such as the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Among these initiatives is the Time Release Study (TRS), developed to provide comprehensive insights into customs operations’ efficiency,” he said.
He said another significant milestone is reached today as NCS commence the TRS in Nigeria, with Tin Can Island Port serving as pilot location, adding that the TRS method is a systematic and standardised approach used to measure the total duration of time from the arrival of goods at the Customs border until their release.
However, he said the initiative represents a critical step in Custom’s ongoing efforts to optimise the trading experience and Customs operations in Nigeria.
“It is a strategic endeavour aimed at improving how we facilitate trade, ensuring alignment with international best practices, and contributing substantially to national development. TRS plays a crucial role in assessing and enhancing trade facilitation by providing detailed insights into the efficiency of our processes.
“Our dynamic and rapidly changing environment requires swift and adaptable responses to the needs as they arise. Adopting a scientific and data-driven approach is paramount not only for customs administrations but also for all stakeholders involved in international trade. With the complexities of modern trade, traditional evaluation methods often fall short in accurately identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies across the entire trading environment.
“The TRS methodology offers a systematic and precise analysis, enabling us to identify areas for improvement with accuracy. This scientific approach enhances the credibility and reliability of our findings, ensuring that efforts to optimise trade facilitation are targeted and effective. Embracing these methodologies allows stakeholders to collaboratively work towards enhancing trade efficiency and promoting broader economic development,” he said.
He said the launch of the TRS in Lagos today underscores Nigeria Custom’s commitment to improving Customs operations and trade facilitation in Nigeria. He said in addition to TRS, the NCS is deploying the AEO program, Advanced Ruling, and establishing a Customs Laboratory as part of its ongoing efforts to facilitate trade and improve government revenue.
“These initiatives are supported by the WCO, further emphasizing our dedication to enhancing trade efficiency and promoting economic growth and national development through collaboration, innovation, and strategic measures.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Secretary General (SG) of the WCO for the invaluable support, provision of resources, and expertise in advancing these initiatives. Involvement with the WCO has been instrumental in ensuring the success of our efforts to modernize customs operations and enhance trade facilitation in Nigeria,” he added.