Govt delegation ascertains effects of PAAR in Nigeria

A government delegation, led by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Murtala Mohammed, at the weekend visited Nigeria to ascertain how the pre-arrival assessment report (PAAR ) system has helped to remove the bottle- necks associated with doing business in that country.

The delegation was educated on how the system had eased the clearance of goods at the ports of Nigeria and saved time and costs for businesses.

Included in the 16-member delegation were Mr Patrick A. Poku and Mr Emmanuel Adisi, both directors at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Anthony Dzadzra, Head of the Tax Policy Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Mr Carl Sackey of GCNET.

Briefing

The Comptroller of the ICT Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service, Mr Bashir Yussuf, who conducted the deputy minister and his entourage around the ICT facilities at the ports said the modernisation drive by the Nigerian government had helped to create a conducive atmosphere for business.

He said the PAAR system had given Nigeria a footing in global trade and urged other African countries to take a bold step and introduce similar systems.

Mr Yussuf commended the Government of Ghana for initiating steps to take over destination inspection from the destination inspection companies and handed over that role to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Service and said his country was ready to share its experiences with Ghana and offer any assistance required by the government in that area.

‘PAAR is a necessity’

Mr Mohammed, acknowledged the fact that the introduction of the single window system, which enables international traders to submit regulatory documents at a single location and/or entity, had now become a necessity.

He said Nigeria had set a pace in Africa by introducing the PAAR system and ensured that the African trading bloc remained strong, relevant and modernised.

He urged other African countries to embrace the "wind of modernisation", sweeping through the continent.