With stakeholders’ engagement, Customs steps up trade facilitation among Nigerians

In a bid to strengthen trade relations and checkmate smuggling activities within the Nigeria Customs Service, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi recently undertook a series of courtesy visits to different stakeholders in the North West Zone of Nigeria.

The visits were strategically aimed at fostering cooperation, understanding the challenges faced by stakeholders, and implementing measures to streamline trade processes.

The Comptroller-General’s four days tour covered key economic hubs and border regions. The primary objectives of these visits were multifaceted; encompassing the facilitation of trade, enhancement of revenue generation, ensuring the welfare of its staff, enforcement of stricter measures to combat illegal exports and to proffer measures in ensuring food security.

The Comptroller-General, on Thursday, March 7, 2024, visited Kaduna State where he flagged-off the NCS housing scheme at Gidan Iyali Estate, Millennium City, reiterating his commitment to improving the welfare of Customs personnel across the federation by providing shelters.

The CGC noted that the ceremony was not the last episode as there were similar projects in Kano, Asaba, Yola, Abuja, Enugu and Uyo ready for flag-off.

He disclosed that the national spread was aimed at providing officers and men of the service the opportunity to access and benefit from the laudable initiative that is not just pocket friendly, but also at convenient locations while appreciating the state Governor, Uba Sanni for ensuring the smooth running of the project.

The CGC urged officers who have shown interest in the projects not to relent, saying “the service is going into an interface with Cooperative Mortgage Bank with the service ICT under the salary section to effectively manage the process of payments of the housing scheme.”

Portfolio and Assets Manager of Family Homes, George Anih, said his firm was critical about providing shelters for Nigerians at an affordable price, expressing commitment to partner with the NCS to provide 5000 houses for officers and men of the Service.

On his part, Managing Director of Cooperative Mortgage Bank, Mr. Musa Abubakar, equally assured the Comptroller-General of his commitment to ensure the successful completion of the project.

The CGC on the same day made a stop-over at the construction site of Customs Cantonment in Mando Kaduna to inspect and ascertain the project’s progress.

After the inspection, Adeniyi said the ongoing construction of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ is essential for enhancing the operational efficiency of Customs personnel and their welfare adding that it will provide them with modern facilities and amenities to carry out their duties effectively.

The CGC, who described the completion of the project as a priority for the Service, said the structure will serve as a cornerstone of operations in the region, further strengthening capacity of the service to safeguard borders and combat illicit activities.

Following the inspection, the Comptroller-General paid a homage to Kano traditional leader, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero to strengthen the bond between the NCS and the Kano community, where he stressed the Service’s commitment to collaboration and mutual understanding.

He disclosed that the Service has made all arrangements to implement measures to alleviate the current challenge of food scarcity and hardship in Kano by distributing food items to the citizens.

Adeniyi pledged to implement policies aimed at streamlining business processes and engaging with stakeholders to facilitate trade in the state, adding that the Service will start distributing seized food items to the residents of Kano State,

Emir Bayero lauded the CGC’s response regarding taking measures to alleviate the suffering in Kano and other regions across the federation by distributing food items to citizens amid the hardship and hunger in the country.

He assured the CGC of his palace’s unwavering support in all ramifications, especially that which will yield positive results for Kano and Nigeria.

Still in Kano, on the 8th of March, Adewale visited the Kano/Jigawa Command where he addressed officers and men of the service on the prevailing state of food scarcity in the country, urging them to adhere to their work responsibilities.

He emphasized the importance of representing the Service well to gain the trust of Nigerians, charging them on their conduct, cautioning against the unauthorized use of social media, while also stressing the need for collaboration with relevant stakeholders and fostering good relations with community members.

The CGC, who announced measures to reduce the price of food items in the country and release food items to residents in Kano, assured that the Service would continue to operate within the law and maintain the status of food security in the country. He urged citizens to continue supporting the efforts of the NCS in safeguarding national food security.

Adeniyi in his visit to Dawanau International Grains Market, urged marketers to uphold the directives of avoiding illegal exports and hoarding of food products.

He said the directive underscores the government’s commitment to mitigating the effects of food shortages and ensuring equitable distribution of resources amidst the current national crisis, noting that the Service will set up machinery that can be used to address issues around who operates the warehouse.

The President of the market association, Muttaka Isah, told the Comptroller-General that members of the association were facing some challenges, which included unfounded allegations in some quarters that dealers hoard grains in their warehouses, affirming that the market does not engage in such cruel acts.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the association, Abdullahi Maidoya, appreciated the CGC for his commitment to fostering a conducive business environment for traders within the market, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts between the Service and market stakeholders to address barriers and ensure the smooth flow of essential commodities into the country.

The CGC also embarked on an inspection visit to the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport and some Bonded Terminals under the jurisdiction of NCS Kano/Jigawa Area Command.

Thereafter, the Customs boss on March 9 visited two eminent figures, former President Muhammadu Buhari and his Royal Highness, Emir of Daura, Dr. Farouk Umar Farouk to seek their cooperation towards effective border management.

Adeniyi conveyed the purpose behind his recent expedition to the Maiadua Border in Kongolam, attributing it to President Bola Tinubu’s directive aimed at ameliorating the socio-economic challenges faced by Nigerians.

The former president and Emir Farouk acknowledged Adeniyi’s visit, commending the NCS for its crucial role in border protection, which they deemed indispensable for safeguarding national security interests pledging unwavering support to the NCS in its pursuit of excellence.

During a stakeholders’ meeting to enhance trade facilitation, held on March 10, Adeniyi reiterated the importance of dialogue and partnership in driving sustainable growth and fostering a conducive business environment.

He also addressed the operational challenges raised by the stakeholders across the import-export ecosystem and fostering a more efficient trade environment.
The stakeholders had highlighted challenges associated with the change of procedure code and compounded by a cumbersome process for clearance consignments on transfer from coastal ports to Inland Container Terminals in Kano.
CGC emphasized that,“our goal is to streamline processes and ensure a seamless flow of goods across borders, ultimately driving economic growth and development.”

To mark the end of his tour, Comptroller-General Adeniyi paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf where they entered into a collaboration to facilitate trade in the state.

The CGC noted that Kano has been an esteemed centre of commerce and a significant link to foster trade in Nigeria, adding that NCS was making plans to streamline the process in the state.

Kano governor expressed satisfaction with the CGC engagements during his official visit, reiterating the commitment of the Kano State government to provide the necessary support and cooperation to the Nigeria Customs Service in fulfilling its mandate within the state.

Adeniyi also visited the Mamuda Group of Companies in Kano, where he interacted with the Chairman and CEO of the company, Hassan Hammoud and other leaders of the factory, highlighting the importance of easing business processes for traders nationwide.

Hammoud, who appreciated the CGC for vising his company, pledged the company’s unwavering commitment to complying with customs provisions as well as maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service.

As the nation faces economic challenges and strives for increased revenue generation, the Adeniyi’s strategic state visits represent a proactive step towards fostering a more conducive environment for trade.