The Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), will check the extortion of traders by facilitating the comprehensive tracking of their goods from the beginning of the trade process until delivery.

This is through its Unified Customs Management System(UCMS), a software that would be deployed to monitor all stages of the transactions by traders.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the TMP is the automation of the business processes of the NCS, to simplify and enhance the experience of stakeholders in the trade value chain.

It is also aimed at making it easy to obtain export and import clearances, and in paying duties and obtaining release of goods.

NAN further reports that the customs modernisation project, which has three phases, is a 20-year concession agreement.

It was signed on May 27, 2023, between the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the NCS Board, and The Trade Modernisation Project Ltd.

Chief Superintendent of Customs, Usman Abba, Head, Business Analyst for the project, told NAN in an interview on Thursday in Abuja that by using the software traders would be able to know when and where there were hitches in their transactions for redress.

Abba said the system would eliminate fraudulent intent and expose those who take advantage of clients who cannot properly track their goods with the current system to extort them.

“This is the platform where the trader has access and is able to track all the stages of transactions and know where the challenge or exactly the issue is until the goods are delivered,“ he said.

He said that the service had received numerous reports of agents attempting to extract additional funds from their clients, by falsely claiming that their goods had not been cleared by customs when the process had already been completed.

According to him, the software, which will soon be inaugurated, is designed to have information on all transactions, including payments and goods clearance, to enable the trader to act as required.

He added that other agencies were also being integrated into the system to examine goods according to their constitutional mandates

On the current stage of the development of the software, Abba said that all internal systems had been completed, and final touches were being done on stakeholder integration.

NAN reports that the TMP is targeting to generate more than 250 billion Dollars in revenue over the 20-year concession.

The project is aimed at bringing Nigeria to par with the rest of the world in the deployment of technology to facilitate international trade.

It would also assist the Federal Government in achieving economic diversification by facilitating easier cross-border trading.

(NAN)

SMEDAN introduces business pitch competition to enhance financial literacy

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has introduced a business pitch competition known as “SMEDAN Speed Pitch”.

The Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, in a statement, said the initiative was designed to enhance financial literacy and provide small businesses with opportunities to access funds for growth.

Odii said the participants would receive training and support to develop and clearly articulate unique business innovations, viability, and potential to unlock opportunities.

According to him, this will include private investments in the country and across the globe.

He said: “The first edition of the pitch competition will take place on May 1, at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos as part of the Nano Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (NMSME) Engagement Series.

“It will be hosted by Ms Jennifer Adighije, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship and Innovation/Digital Economy.

“This initiative is part of SMEDAN’s ‘GROW Nigerian’ strategy, which focuses on boosting local production.

“It does this by providing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with financial and non-financial resources, including markets, knowledge, mentorship, and tools, to grow sustainably and spread prosperity.’’

Odii said to participate in the first edition, businesses must be female-owned, registered, and in operation for at least three years.

He said: “Applications will open on April 24 and close on April 27.

“Shortlisted applicants will undergo a test to determine the top five performers who will get the chance to present their pitch at the main event in Lagos.

“The winner will receive a prize of one million naira for workforce support, procurement of work tools, and business expansion.

“ Runners-up will receive 300,000 and 200,000 respectively, along with free Business Development support.”

On how to apply, the Director-General urged applicants to upload a three-minute video pitch to social media.

Odii said: “Introduce yourself in the video and showcase your product/service and the problem it solves, and make a case for why you should be enlisted.

“Follow and Tag SMEDAN’s official pages (@smedaninfo, use the hashtag #SMEDANSpeedPitch), and remember that the application deadline is April 27.

“For pitch criteria, you must possess a clear vision and concept, understanding of the target audience, unique selling proposition (USP), short-term and long-term goals and utilisation of the prize (money).

“The judging criteria will include, clarity, market potential, innovation and differentiation and presentation skills.”

(NAN)

Kebbi Firstlady donates N10m to women entrepreneurs to boost businesses

Hajiya Zainab-Nasare Idris, wife of the Kebbi State Governor has donated N10 million to the Association of Kebbi Women Entrepreneurs to boost their various businesses.

She made the donation at the closing ceremony of a two-day Ramadan Funfair organised by the association at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Funfair drew participants from across North-Western States.

The governor’s wife said the gesture was meant to encourage women to stand on their feet and ensure their participation in various trades.

She urged the conveners of the funfair to ensure that every participant benefitted from the grant for them to boost their businesses.

The governor’s wife observed that the event had achieved its set goals and objectives, considering the number of participants as well as the level of engagement.

While urging the women not to be discouraged, the governor’s wife encouraged them to be up and doing to become employers of labour.

Earlier, the convener, Hajiya Maryam Bello-Bala, said the essence of the programme was to provide a platform for women to showcase their trade talents and to encourage women’s participation in various businesses.

She appealed for more support to women entrepreneurs across the state, to reduce over dependence of women on their husbands for little things.

(NAN)