The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone A has launched an innovative system to track officers and streamline cargo delivery, aiming to enhance efficiency, transparency, and security in customs operations across the country.
The system, known as the Automated Transit System (ATS), was unveiled during a training session on Monday, where customs officers and stakeholders were introduced to the new technology.
Charles Orbih, Assistant Comptroller General and Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, who represented Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi, described the ATS as a strategic modernization effort designed to improve the customs clearance process and boost the supply chain’s overall efficiency.
According to Orbih, the system will speed up customs clearance, reduce bottlenecks, and minimize operational costs, while also providing a robust mechanism for tracking officers throughout the cargo movement process.
Orbih emphasized that the ATS would foster trust between customs and trade partners by reducing opportunities for corruption and human errors.
He stressed the importance of collaboration, inviting stakeholders to actively participate in the implementation, provide feedback, and share expertise to optimize the system.
Z. Gaji, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs on Modernization, representing the Deputy Comptroller General of Modernization, Kikelomo Adeola, highlighted the system’s ability to enhance efficiency, reduce clearance time, and boost revenue collection through better monitoring.
Gaji noted that the ATS was developed in-house by the Customs ICT team and is expected to significantly cut clearance times and improve transparency in customs procedures.
Gaji explained that the system would feature a phased deployment, including extensive stakeholder engagement, user acceptance testing (UAT), and pilot rollout at selected locations to ensure operational effectiveness.
He encouraged stakeholders to actively engage with the new system and share insights to fine-tune the implementation.
The launch event included a live demonstration of the ATS by Assistant Comptroller Usman Abba, who provided a detailed walkthrough of how goods are transferred from border ports to terminal destinations.
Abba demonstrated how the system tracks officer activities, ensuring accountability and reducing the risk of unauthorized diversions.
He also highlighted the internal approval process, where applications for cargo transfer undergo automated validation before being assigned to responsible officers.
“The system ensures that all payments are processed and verified before cargo movement, reducing discrepancies and preventing unauthorized diversions,” Abba explained.
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