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WCO, WBG, IMF Holds Workshop With NCS To Boosts Trade Facilitation On PCA

By Anne Ejuka


The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the World Bank Group (WBG), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), holds a five-day workshop to boost trade facilitation in Post Clearance Audit.


The workshop which is currently holding in Abuja is aimed to enhance trade facilitation in Nigeria, runs from 7th October through to 11 October, 2024 in Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria 



Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi  MFR, according to a statement from the Public Relations Officer of NCS, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, expressed his gratitude to the WCO, WBG, and IMF for their invaluable contributions to the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) reform efforts.


The CGC, who was ably represented by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Adekunle Oloyode, stated that the workshop is essential for establishing a robust PCA, which complements the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme. According to him, both initiatives are critical to strengthening the compliance framework and advancing the trade facilitation efforts of the Service.


"PCA plays a vital role in ensuring compliance in international trade and safeguarding national revenue long after goods have exited Customs control," he said.



The CGC emphasised that the ability to conduct effective post-clearance audits enables the NCS to detect and prevent commercial fraud, recover lost revenue, and enhance trade facilitation. He noted, "PCA serves as a vital tool in balancing trade facilitation with compliance."


CGC Adeniyi also disclosed that a strong PCA framework fosters a secure trading environment, ultimately facilitating smoother international trade.



Highlighting the significance of online virtual sessions, he added, "They provide real-time insights and knowledge sharing, allowing us to address specific challenges and implement the best practices around the globe, helping to innovate NCS PCA processes".


While urging participants to apply what they learned to strengthen the Service’s PCA system and protect national revenue, the CGC outlined the key areas of the workshop to includes risk management, targeting, developing data-driven methodologies to identify high-risk transactions, creating detailed audit plans for efficient execution, capacity building, leveraging international expertise and technology, among others.



On his part, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Suleiman Chiroma from  the Strategic Research and Policy Department of NCS, emphasised that PCA is a tool that ensures the smooth running of Customs processes by introducing measures, methods, and various approaches for seamless transactions. He remarked, "Collaboration with these organisations is key to the survival and success of the NCS".


Also speaking, World Customs Organisation expert, Russell Clark expressed his appreciation for the collaboration and commended the NCS’s dedication to improving its processes in facilitating trade.

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