In a bid to streamline trade operations and combat illegal activities at Nigerian ports, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is gearing up to implement the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme within the next month.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, recently disclosed this at a meeting with stakeholders in Abuja.
He said that the initiative is aim to expedite the clearance of goods imported into the country while enhancing collaboration between customs, other government agencies, and industry experts.
The AEO programme, compliant with World Customs Organisation (WCO) standards, seeks to establish mutual trust between customs authorities and accredited operators involved in international goods movement. It is anticipated to foster transparency, and efficiency within the trading environment, ultimately contributing to economic growth.
Mr. Adeniyi emphasised the NCS’s commitment to working closely with government agencies and stakeholders to improve the ease of doing business in and around Nigerian ports. He highlighted the broad scope of the AEO programme, involving exporters, importers, government agencies, regulatory bodies, customs, and other industry players.
The initiative comes on the heels of the NCS’s recent launch of a Time Release Study (TRS) to optimise trading experiences in Nigeria. Through pilot programmes, the NCS aims to identify potential challenges, fine-tune processes, and pave the way for a full-scale roll-out of the AEO programme.
Key stakeholders, including importers, exporters, small and medium enterprises, customs license agents, logistics operators, and government agencies, have been selected to participate in the pilot scheme of the AEO programme. Their involvement underscores a collective effort to transform trade operations and ensure a future of boundless prosperity.
Mrs. Awa Nnenna, Chief Superintendent of Customs and Project Manager of the AEO programme, highlighted the programme’s benefits, including expedited customs clearance procedures and enhanced trust between authorities and operators. These improvements are expected to stimulate economic growth by facilitating smoother trade operations.
As the NCS prepares to launch the AEO programme, stakeholders eagerly anticipate its implementation and the transformational impact it promises to bring to Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
