Customs moves to integrate excise processes on new platform

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Industrial Area has begun the automation of excise operations on the newly deployed Unified Customs Management System platform known as B’Odogwu, as part of efforts to boost efficiency and reduce human interface. The sensitization exercise, which was held via Zoom at the Lagos Industrial Area Command (LIAC) conference hall […]

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Industrial Area has begun the automation of excise operations on the newly deployed Unified Customs Management System platform known as B’Odogwu, as part of efforts to boost efficiency and reduce human interface.

The sensitization exercise, which was held via Zoom at the Lagos Industrial Area Command (LIAC) conference hall recently brought together stakeholders and Heads of Units within the excise ecosystem.

Comptroller Sarah Mamza Wadinda, the Customs Area Controller at the Lagos Industrial Area Command, led the sensitization in line with directives from the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Excise, Free Trade Zone and Industrial Incentives.

According to the NCS, the B’Odogwu platform is expected to improve trade facilitation by enabling paperless transactions and real-time reporting across excise operations.

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The service has mandated excise commands to adopt the new platform to drive greater transparency and compliance.

Participants were educated on how the automated process aligns with the Service’s mission to streamline excise procedures and ensure faster processing through technology. They were also briefed on the requirement for stakeholders to comply with Section 205(b) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023, which mandates the provision of computers and adequate internet facilities for Resident Excise Officers.

Reacting to the initiative, stakeholders at the meeting described the sensitization as timely and beneficial to economic growth.

They also urged the ICT Department of the Customs to release updated process manuals to help them better understand the transition to the new platform.

Comptroller Wadinda commended the stakeholders for their active participation and turnout at the Zoom meeting, stressing that their cooperation is key to the successful rollout of the automated excise platform.

The B’Odogwu system is expected to be fully integrated into all excise operations under the Lagos Industrial Area Command in the coming months.