Customs To Ease Port Congestion, Fight Corruption With E-Clearance System

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has unveiled an Overtime E-Clearance System, an automated platform designed to streamline cargo management, clear a 15-year backlog of abandoned consignments, and reduce congestion at the nation’s busiest port, Apapa.

The initiative was officially introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, during a sensitisation exercise in Lagos.

Customs announced the development in a statement posted on its official X handle on Tuesday.

Adeniyi explained that the platform will enable consignees to submit and track applications remotely, cutting down on repeated visits to Customs offices and limiting manual interference in cargo clearance.

“The system builds on an earlier policy that extended cargo dwelling periods from 30 to 120 days to give stakeholders more flexibility.

“The focus is transparency, integrity and adherence to the law. We urge stakeholders to test the system and provide feedback ahead of full deployment,” he said.

He warned that deliberate abandonment of cargo as a tactic to evade duties will no longer be tolerated, stressing that intelligence units are already monitoring potential misuse.

Adeniyi cited a 15-year-old overtime cargo case still under investigation as an example of why loopholes must be firmly closed.

The new system is expected to fast-track the clearance of thousands of containers clogging port terminals, a longstanding issue that has cost the government revenue and created opportunities for corruption.

As part of its rollout plan, Customs will hold further sensitisation sessions this week with terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders before expanding engagement to additional commands nationwide.

Deployment will commence after feedback is reviewed and legal clarifications are addressed, the Service said.

The launch of the E-Clearance System comes shortly after the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, directed Customs to suspend the controversial 4 per cent Free on Board (FOB) levy on imported goods.