In a bid to ensure trade facilitation in Nigeria, about 19 government agencies are currently inter-connected to the Nigeria Customs Information System (NICIS), which is now powered by Web Fontaine.
The Nigeria Customs Information System is an upgrade of its Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) which allows businesses to be transacted electronically.
Twenty other agencies are making effort to get connected to the syustem.
Disclosing this to Vanguard, Managing Director of Web Fontaine, Mr. Muktar Ahmed, said that the modernisation process of the Nigeria Customs Service has made it possible for the agencies to be connected to the service.
Ahmed explained that the inter-connectivity of other agencies to the information technology of the Customs service has also assisted importers to take quick delivery of their cargoes, adding that the essence of the modernisation project was actually to facilitate trade.
Explaining further, Ahmed said that the NICIS will assist importers in doing their businesses electronically, a function the ASYCUDA system could not do.
“All the electronic payment, electronic reconciliation, electronic manifest and electronic exit can now be done from the comfort of your office or room” he stated
Some of the agencies inter-connected to the Customs system includes the Revenue Mobilisation ,Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC), the Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA), The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the office of the National Security Adviser.
Others are the Nigerian Shippers Council,(NSC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and at a point Presidency was also inter-connected to the Customs system.
