Introduction:
The Somali Customs Automated System (SCAS) is a computerized system designed to improve the efficiency of the customs process in Somalia. SCAS was implemented in 2022 and has been operational for one year. This report provides an overview of the performance of SCAS in its first year of operation.
System Overview:
SCAS is a comprehensive customs management system that provides end-to-end automation of customs processes. It includes features such as electronic declaration submission, automatic risk assessment, electronic payment, and customs clearance. SCAS is designed to streamline the customs process and reduce the time and cost associated with customs clearance.
Performance:
During the first year of operation, SCAS processed a total of 20,000 declarations. The system was able to clear 95% of declarations within 24 hours, and 99% of declarations within 48 hours. This is a significant improvement over the previous manual customs clearance process, which often took several days or even weeks.
SCAS also reduced the number of physical inspections required for declarations. The system uses automatic risk assessment to identify high-risk declarations, which are then subject to physical inspection. This reduced the number of physical inspections by 50%, resulting in faster clearance times and reduced costs.
SCAS also improved revenue collection for the Somali government. The system enables electronic payment of customs duties and taxes, which reduces the risk of fraud and improves transparency. SCAS also provides real-time reporting of revenue collection, enabling the government to monitor revenue collection and identify any discrepancies.
Challenges:
Despite the success of SCAS in its first year of operation, there were some challenges that need to be addressed. One of the main challenges was the lack of awareness and training among customs officers. Many officers were not familiar with the system and required additional training to use it effectively. The Somali government is planning to invest in additional training programs to address this issue.
Another challenge was the lack of reliable internet connectivity in some areas of the country. SCAS requires a stable internet connection to function effectively, and the lack of connectivity in some areas led to delays in processing declarations. The government is working to improve internet connectivity in these areas to ensure that SCAS can be used effectively.
Conclusion:
Overall, the first year of operation of SCAS was a success. The system was able to process a large number of declarations, reduce clearance times, and improve revenue collection. While there were some challenges that need to be addressed, the Somali government is committed to improving the system and ensuring that it can be used effectively by customs officers across the country.
Eng. Abdiasis Esse Ibrahim
IT officer Revenue Directorate MOF, Somalia
User Manager Somali Customs Automated System(SOMCAS)
Email:mutanaafis@gmail.com
