The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has vowed that it will stop at nothing in its bid to simplify and facilitate the export of non-oil goods, especially agro and allied produce in line with Federal Government’s efforts to diversify the economy from overdependence on crude oil.

Speaking in Lagos, Tuesday when he gave a breakdown of activities of the Command for the outgone fiscal year 2023, Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni disclosed that a total of 623, 696.7 metric tonnes of non-oil exports were handled at the Command between January-December, 2023.

The total Free On Board FOB value of the exported goods was N489.2billion, which represents an impressive growth of 85.5 per cent in terms of tonnage and101.9per cent in FOB value when compared to the 2022 fiscal year figures.

Available records show that the products exported through the command include agricultural products such as cocoa, beans, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, soya beans, hibiscus flower, among others. Also exported through the Command were locally manufactured goods such as cosmetics, hair attachments, Indomie noodles, beverages, cigarettes, and insecticides.

Mineral resources were also exported through the Command. They include lithium ore, tin ore, fluorite ore, aluminium ingots and lead ingots etc. Meanwhile, goods previously imported after the payment of 2.5per cent levy on the current value of the goods with government permission were also exported even as other various exports such as charcoal, personal effects, items for repair and return were equally handled at the Command in the period under review.

Comptroller Nnadi, who promised to further grow these export figures, hinted that the Command would embark on more reforms that would facilitate a seamless handling of export cargo in the 2024 fiscal year as part of measures to surpass these figures.

On other operational areas, the CAC further disclosed that the Command in the course of the outgone year continued the ongoing reforms and automation of certain core areas of operations, one of which was the modernisation and automation of the Bond Seat in line with its desire to enhance excellent service delivery to the port service users.

He said: “In 2022, the World Customs Organisation WCO emphasised ‘scaling up Customs Digital Transformation” as its International Customs Day theme. The automation of the Bond unit in Customs operations with Tin Can Island Port as the flagship Command directly aligns with this initiative, signifying a major step in digital transformation by streamlining operations, promoting transparency, efficient Cargo Tracking System and enhancing data accuracy.

“Despite the theme being specific to 2022, TCIP Custom recognises that digital transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous journey, the automation and technological advancement remains a persistent goal. This ongoing process reflects an understanding that adapting to emerging technologies and continuously improving digital infrastructures are crucial for staying relevant and efficient in the ever-evolving landscape of customs administration.”

The command also during the review period, made huge impacts in the area of trade facilitation and robust stakeholders’ engagement, as it consistently provided a conducive environment for trade through continuous engagement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders and regulatory agencies.

For instance, the Command held several meetings with stakeholders in the outgone 2023, including meeting with fast track beneficiaries in the Command, addressing their challenges and opportunities for growth. It also engaged with the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA and terminal operators on the need to decongest the port corridors for free flow of import laden containers as well as collaboration with the terminal operators on schedule and modalities on the overtime clearance of cargoes in TCIP.

The management has also been in the practice of constantly inundating shipping lines within the TCIP on the need to guide their NICIS access as the incidence of fraudulent/double transmission of bill lading had become too prevalent in recent times as well as regular meetings with compliant and high net worth stakeholders including Crown Flour Mills, Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, Hurlag Nigeria Ltd. BUA Nigeria Plc, among other engagements.