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<\/p>\nBy Raheem Ibrahim<\/b><\/p>\n
The much-publicised high-speed scanning machine installed by the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), designed to handle about 200 containers per hour, has been successfully test-run ahead of the full commencement of digital cargo clearance.<\/p>\n
The equipment marks a major milestone in the Service\u2019s drive toward a modern, technology-driven, and paperless cargo clearance system, following a successful test run at APM Terminals, Apapa.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The extensive trial exercise, supervised by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, represents the final phase before the scanner becomes fully operational.<\/p>\n
According to Comptroller Oshoba, the new initiative will phase out manual documentation by automatically linking scanned images to electronic declarations in real time\u2014streamlining the clearance process, improving accuracy, and strengthening security measures.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cAs you can see, everything is working perfectly. We are 100 percent ready. Once a container is scanned and declared, the system automatically matches the data, analyses it, and approves release. No physical documents are needed. With this digital approach, detecting contraband like arms or narcotics becomes easier, as even small concealed items show clearly on the scan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Comptroller Oshoba stressed that the process would significantly reduce cargo dwell time, emphasising the importance of compliance among stakeholders to ensure the system\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only time delays will occur is when discrepancies appear between declarations and scanned images. Compliance is now key because the system captures every detail. My advice to our trading community is to be compliant and make correct declarations,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Also speaking, the Deputy Controller of the Scanner Unit, Umar Madugu, disclosed that the scanners can handle up to 200 containers per hour, drastically reducing the need for physical examination and enabling more efficient detection of prohibited items.<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cThe system\u2019s image enhancement feature allows us to distinguish items clearly\u2014whether it\u2019s separating vehicle parts or counting drums\u2014ensuring accuracy and precision in every scan to uncover any concealment or irregularity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madugu noted that the simulation exercise covered a complete end-to-end assessment, from image capture and data transmission to evaluating the system\u2019s resilience and efficiency.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Mr. Niu Chao, Project Manager of Nuctech Company Limited\u2014the equipment provider\u2014explained that all scanned images are transmitted to a central analysis hub in Abuja, stored in a cloud database, and simultaneously displayed for local review. He further noted that the system includes a backup network that guarantees continuous operation, even in the event of a network outage.<\/p>\n
Also speaking, Mrs. Bamidele Chinedu, Stakeholders Engagement Lead for Trade Modernisation Project Limited\u2014the company responsible for modernising the NCS\u2019s operations\u2014expressed satisfaction with the project\u2019s implementation.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we are 100 percent ready, as our partners here have said. Everything is in order. It\u2019s exciting to be here today to witness how ready we are to kick-start business,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The technology is expected to improve accuracy, boost revenue generation, and usher in a smarter, faster, and more secure cargo clearance era in Nigeria\u2019s maritime sector.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Raheem Ibrahim The much-publicised high-speed scanning machine installed by the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18254,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-from-the-grassroots"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18253"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18253\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18256,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18253\/revisions\/18256"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}