The creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and delivery of products and services is called automation. The use of automation in processes and procedures will go a long way to allow transparency, which in turn establishes a good platform for integrity to thrive.
For any organisational objectives to be achieved, integrity has a great role to play, as recommended by World Customs Organisation in one of the conventions precisely Revised Arusha Declaration (2003). For Nigeria Customs Service to meet up with International Best Practises Standard, automation has to be seriously explored and used maximally.
Automation as one of the 10 key elements enumerated by the WCO’s Revised Arusha Declaration will help in establishing a good platform for integrity to thrive and cause organisational goals to be achievable maximally with minimum, efficient and effective use of both human and material resources.
INTEGRITY
Integrity is doing the right thing even when it is difficult. That is performing customs operations with high level of honesty and uprightness. Integrity can be regarded as the opposite of corruption.
TRANSPARENCY
Transparency as defined by online dictionary, is a window that permits the uninterrupted passage of light; something clear, easy to see through, understand, or recognize; something obvious. When someone is candid, open or frank.
In simple terms, transparency in Customs operations is making processes and procedures, laws and regulations, administrative guidelines that pertain to revenue collections to be opened, public, easily accessible and applied in a uniform and consistent manner.
Automation is the use of Information and Communication Technology equipment and gadgets to control Customs processes and procedures in such a way that it will reduce human contact (i.e. between officers and the trade) and physical cash handling among others in order to eradicate any breathing space for corruption to thrive. The maximum used of automation is achieved when most of the procedures and data files transfer are done electronically- i.e. Direct Traders Input, e-manifest, e-banking in general term e-customs
Presently, automation in NCS is having a rapid metamorphosis of which latest technology is in greater use.
AUTOMATED SYSTEMS
The ultimate goal of the management is to take NCS to recommended clearance procedure called e-customs. Presently with the use of ASYCUDA++, Direct Traders Input, e-manifest, e-banking, e-release have been achieved and all the Exit gates are properly networked and connected to the Customs Processing Centre (CPC) so as to enjoy the benefits of automation.
Single Window is very much in view to harmonise the entire clearance procedures for importations and exportations in order to meet up with International Best Practise Standard.
ADVANTAGES
The use of automation has a lot of advantages for the Service to enjoy. Among others are:
- Enhances revenue collection and protection.
- Generation of accurate and timely statistical data/returns for policy making.
- More efficient use of resources.
- Saves time.
- Ease of implementation.
- Meet up with International Best Practises standard.
- Helps integrity to thrive and thereby improves the image of the service.
- It brings about proper accountability and responsibility with the use of passwords by officers /users.
The benefits to the nation cannot be over emphasised. Automation among other key elements:
- Increases productivity that leads to economic growth.
- Conserves resources.
- National Security.
- Reduces overall cost of trade.
- Enhances revenue.
- Facilitates trade.
- Help Integrity to thrive thereby improving the image of the country among other nations.
- Social Protection.
Socio-economic - encourages investment
In conclusion, any administration/management that does not embrace maximum use of automation in its operations in order to meet up with the challenges such as increase in speed and volume of international trade; rapid change in world and national economies; illegal trafficking of prohibited goods and dangerous weapons will end up inflicting more cost and danger to the organisation and also jeopardise the economy of the entire nation.
The present administration has gone a long way to get the officers of the Service trained in different courses ranging from –Computer Appreciation, ASYCUDA++ and Nigeria Integrated Custom Information System (NICIS) in order to meet up with the development and use of automated systems in the Service.
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