By Onu Okorie
The Comptroller-General of CUSTOM, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has said that the Service has introduced a simple, seamless, and secure way to verify vehicle duty payment status.
He stated this during the official launch of the Customs verification Management System yesterday in Abuja.
According to him, “now, while no single solution can solve all problems, this particular solution is a decisive first step towards eliminating the deceptive practices of some bad elements who have exploited the system for so long.”
“This new system empowers the public and strengthens the integrity of the Service by promoting transparency, accountability, and trust. The platform would provide a centralized digital system where vehicle records can be traced, verified, and confirmed within minutes, improving the efficiency of the enforcement units, the federal operations units, and every relevant arm of the customs.
“In essence, this platform democratizes access to verified information, enabling the public to make informed decisions and contributing to a culture of transparency in vehicle importation and trade. For the general public, the system brings transparency and ease of access.”
“For the first time, Nigerians can verify the clearance and duty statues of any imported vehicle directly from the Nigeria Customs Service without intermediaries, without delays, and without doubt. This gives citizens, importers, and dealers the confidence to transact with clarity and certainty reducing the risk of frauds and ensuring that every vehicle purchased is backed by verifiable customs data and papers. For our officers, the system enhances efficiency and accountability.”
“By digitizing and standardizing the vehicle verification process, the system eliminates manual bottlenecks, ensures consistency across the commands, and equips officers with real-time validated information. It also has analytics and reporting tools that help us to identify anomalies, improve the decision-making, and strengthen the enforcement.”
“Simply put, this system makes customs work smarter, faster, and more transparent. This initiative aligns fully with the broader initiative of modernization and transformation. Across all areas of our operations, we are deploying innovative technology-driven solutions to simplify processes, improve transparency, and enhance revenue.”
“This particular system is a notable example of this vision in action.
It demonstrates that Nigeria Customs Service is not only adapting technology. We are building systems that embody integrity, intelligence, and innovation, reflecting what is expected of a modern, world-class customs institution. Importantly, it also strengthens national security by ensuring that every imported vehicle is properly captured, verified, and traceable within the customs ecosystem”
“Let this system serve as a clear message to smugglers and all other criminals. The era of misinformation is gone. The Nigerian public is now empowered with information to make very safe and informed vehicle purchase decisions. This is therefore a call to action. As we roll out this system today, my message is simple. Verification should be very simple, reliable, and fast for every Nigerian.”
“I call on the public to use this platform with confidence, and all our officers to champion its adoption across all commands and units. Modernization, after all, is not an event. It is a continuous commitment. With CVMS, we’re taking yet another bold step towards a more transparent, efficient, and technology-driven customs service. Together, we are not only keeping pace with change. In fact, we are leading it.”
“And as I conclude, let me reaffirm our administration’s commitment to bold initiatives that strengthen our capacity, improve our service delivery, and drive continuous transformation across all our operations. I extend profound gratitude to our partners, Mrs. TMP and the company represented by Mr. Djibola Adetola. And indeed, all our various stakeholders for their unwavering support, dedication, and their shared vision.”
Today marks an important milestone, as we heard, in our ongoing drive to modernize the operations of the Nigerian CUSTOMS service.
You may wish to recall, and it has been noted, that I made a commitment that our policy trust would rest on three key pillars. We are hoping to build our progress on collaboration with private sector, consolidation on the previous gains, and the delivery of innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
The launch of the CUSTOMS Verification Management System today is a clear demonstration of that strong commitment.
This platform redefines how vehicle verification is conducted across the CUSTOMS ecosystem and across the length and breadth of Nigeria. It is another score on the board for the bold transformation agenda. For years, verification of imported vehicles relied on fragmented and outdated methods.
Systems that left room for misinformation, for fraud, leakage, cost the country significantly.
And, as we saw in the drama, leading to a lot of frustration. Recognizing the urgency for change the Nigerian CUSTOMS service, in partnership with the Trade Modernization Project and the indigenous technical partners, has developed an innovative home-grown solution to this challenge.
The Customs Verification Management System has been developed as a robust digital solution.
As you can see the problems public face day to day on the little playlet that was shown to us. Distracting verification to ensure authenticity of clearance processes and promote integrity and transparency across all levels of operation by integrating verification into a centralized digital framework, the CBMS will minimize manual intervention, reduce error, and accelerate trade facilitation.
Such occurrences as witnessed in the playlet will be a thing of the past. This initiative underscores our commitment to leveraging technology to enhance revenue generation, ensure compliance, and safeguard national security through efficient and variable customs processes It also aligns with the broader objectives of the Customs Organization project, which seeks to transform our service into a world-class organization, driven by data, technology, and professionalism
Your support has been invaluable in ensuring that the Nigerian Customs Service remains at the forefront of digital innovation within the public sector. Today’s event signifies yet another milestone in the continuous drive of the Nigerian Customs Service towards a fully digital and intelligent customs administration. Under the visionary leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, the service has continued to embrace innovation as a core pillar of modernization, innovation and service delivery.
