Ict/Telecom
Customs Builds ICT Centre
The Comptroller General
of Customs, Dr. Abdullahi Dikko through the Apapa Area 1 Command of Nigeria Customs Service, have put in place an ultra modern Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre and Communication Tower(mast) of 160 metres height to serve Zone A of the service, which comprises all customs areas and formations in the South West geo political zone of the country
The new installations, according to Charles Edike, Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of Apapa customs, will not only boost customs revenue collection, but would also facilitate legitimate trade without compromising national security and improve on the existing customs community relations.
The installed facilities will also enhance the operational interface between the customs other government organisation and organised private sector stakeholders. Govern-ment agencies like the office of the Nigeria Shippers Council are connected to the system.
It also connects private sector stakeholders involved in customs clearance procedure like the commercial banks and Direct Trader Input (DTI) café operators involved in customs duty collection and documentation processing respectively .
‘’Our ICT centre is going to complement the functions of the Customs Ruling Centre based in our Abuja Headquarters, and will serve as a base for training and retraining of officers and stakeholders.
It will also replicate at the area command level some of the modern techniques in customs operations officers have learnt at the Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagawlada, he said.
The Apapa Customs chief added that ‘’As a way of passing the message through the media to the public, we are training over 50 maritime journalists at the ICT Centre as pioneer trainees to give them first hand knowledge about the information they are to disseminate and get them to experience some basic theoretical and case study training about customs clearance procedures under interna-tionally certified trainers. This will also keep them abreast of the fast evolving trend in customs modernization.
‘’Let me refresh our memories on the six point agenda of my CGC which includes maximising the potentials of the service through capacity building; Moral rebirth for discipline and integrity in the service, in tandem with the national current rebranding; Ensuring enhanced welfare package for officers and men of the Service and consolidating on the current e-customs through ASYCUDA for international best practices.
Others are continued collaboration and partnering with stakeholders and international organisations; and Fostering mutual understanding between the Service and the general public through coordinated public relations activities’’.
The installed ICT facilities will further boost the output of the command that has since surpassed all the teething challenges associated with the implementation of the Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) as agents and importers upon lodging sincere declarations are issued the PAAR in a matter of hours.
The facility was commissioned by Assistant Comptroller General and Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A, Victor Osita Gbemudu,who urged all stakeholders to take advantage and make maximum use of the training facility.
Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson (middle), with some girls undergoing Ict training at the 1000 Girls Ict Training Programme of the Ministry in Abuja last Tuesday. Photo: NAN
The Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Company Limited (SNEPCo), Elohor Aiboni, said Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water asset, has recorded major milestones, due to effective leadership, cutting-edge technology, continuous improvement and collaboration with stakeholders.
She noted that since coming on stream in November 2005, Bonga has maintained a track record of production that saw it achieve one-billion-barrel export on February 13, last year.
In her presentation, titled “The Bonga Journey to a Billion Barrels”, at the ongoing 2024 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, United States, Aiboni, said: “SNEPCo is grateful for the contributions of all the parties to the Bonga story and we can all be proud of the milestones.
“Bonga has been consistent. In 2014, nine years after coming onstream, it achieved half a billion barrels of crude and doubled it in 2023. We have worked relentlessly to ensure excellent asset management, project and wells delivery and deployment of technology and innovations in our operations”.
According to her, these factors, “coupled with the supportive partnership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and our co-venturers – TotalEnergies, EP Nigeria Limited; Nigerian Agip Exploration; and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, make Bonga stand out as a world-class investment case”.
She continued that, “SNEPCo also enjoyed the support of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in the success of Bonga operations”.
Aiboni also listed the challenges of keeping the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel full as the asset ages and dealing with unexpected developments with subsea wells and equipment.
She said: “SNEPCo responded with a campaign of operational excellence, which among other initiatives, led to the creation of a programme known as the Bonga Business Improvement Plan that continually reviews and identifies improvement initiatives and drives sustainability in operations and upskilling of staff.
“The Bonga success story has been led by Nigerians who have been managing directors of SNEPCo since it was established in 1993, in a deliberate policy by Shell to develop indigenous manpower for deep-water operations in Nigeria.
“Today, some 97percent of the SNEPCo workforce is Nigerian and overall, Bonga has helped to create a new generation of Nigerian deep-water professionals.
“Our vision at SNEPCo remains to be the best deep-water business, powering growth and achieving net zero emissions in line with Shell’s Powering Progress strategy”.
Banks’ borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fell month-on-month, (MoM) by 44 percent to N12.16 trillion in April from N21.7 trillion in March.
Analysis of latest data from the CBN shows that the 44percent drop represents the first MoM decline in banks borrowing from since January when it increased by 268.7 percent to N3.6 trillion from N976.29 billion in December 2023.
However, further analysis showed that banks’ deposits in the CBN SDF grew MoM by 118.4 percent to N428.97 billion in April from N196.37 billion in March 2024.
Banks make use of the SLF to access liquidity to run their day-to-day business operations while the Standing Deposit Facility window (SDF) on the other hand, is an overnight deposit facility that allows banks to lodge excess liquidity (money) with the CBN and earn interest.
The decline in banks’ borrowing from SLF may reflect an increase in banking system liquidity and also the decision of the apex bank last year to remove the limit on the remunerable daily placements by banks at the SDF.
According to the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN removed the cap on the remunerable SDF to increase activity in the SDF window and manage liquidity.
A Financial technology expert, Olatunji Akinrinola, has highlighted the exponential growth of the FinTech industry, which according to him, was driven by technological advancements.
Akinrinola made this assertion in a press release recently, where he stressed that the role of technology in driving this exponential growth in the FinTech sector was very outstanding.
According to him, Technology has revolutionised the way financial services are delivered, making them more accessible, efficient, and inclusive.
“Through innovations such as mobile banking, digital payments, and blockchain technology, FinTech companies have been able to reach a larger population and provided them with access to financial services”, he stated.
Akinrinola emphasised the role of technology in enabling financial inclusion, adding: “Technology has democratised access to financial services, particularly in regions with limited banking infrastructure.
“Mobile money platforms and digital wallets have empowered individuals to conduct financial transactions conveniently and securely, without the need for traditional banking services”.
He also underscored the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics in driving innovation within the FinTech industry, noting: “AI-powered algorithms and predictive analytics have revolutionised risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer personalisation in financial services.
“These technologies enable FinTech companies to provide tailored solutions and mitigate risks more effectively, ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience”.
Akinrinola stressed the importance of regulatory frameworks in fostering the growth of the FinTech industry.
“While technology has accelerated the growth of FinTech, it is essential to establish robust regulatory frameworks to ensure consumer protection and maintain market stability. Regulators play a crucial role in balancing innovation with risk management, thereby creating a conducive environment for the sustainable growth of the FinTech sector”, he stated.
Akinrinola underscored the role of technology in driving the exponential growth of the FinTech industry, saying, “Technology has been a game-changer for the FinTech sector, enabling innovation, expanding access to financial services, and driving economic growth.
“As technology continues to evolve, the FinTech industry will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of financial services ecosystem”.
Corlins Walter
