By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has started eliminating multiple trade alerts on its trade portal, according to the Comptroller General of the Service, Mr Adewale Adeniyi.
He said this was part of efforts to improve its trade facilitation mandate, adding that the NCS is also reducing its numerous checkpoints scattered across the country.
Speaking at the just-concluded World Customs Day celebration held in Lagos, Mr Adeniyi added that the organisation was also working on the improvement of officers’ conduct in dealing with the public.
These changes, according to him, are expected to become visible by the end of the first quarter of 2024, calling on every other stakeholder in the trade facilitation value chain to do their part to be on the same page with the customs.
“The theme of this year’s World Customs Day celebrations aligns with our three-point agenda of consolidation, innovation and collaboration. This agenda has been our guiding principle, providing a framework for action over the past seven months, and steering customs activities under my administration.
“The decision to celebrate today’s occasion in a location that easily brings a wide array of stakeholders reflects our commitments to the theme serving as an initial step in fostering purposeful engagement with both traditional and new partners.
“It is a tangible manifestation of our dedication to consolidating efforts deploying innovative solutions and strengthens collaboration to announce the effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service operations.
“In a compelling demonstration of the tangible outcomes arising from the partnership between NCS and NDLEA for example, the recent seizure of drugs and arms at the port is a direct result of effective collaboration between agencies is a testament to the potentials of inter-agency partnerships.
“It showcases the success achievable when government agencies collaborate and highlight the significant impact we can achieve by fostering more partnerships going forward.
“The initial measures including the resolution of multiple alerts, reduction of Customs checkpoints and improvement of officers’ conducts have actively been done.
“Additional components of the declaration will be pursued with vigour, and we anticipate complete due diligence by the end of the first quarter of this year.
“As we in customs do our part, we call on all stakeholders to reflect on the document and also do their part. Our commitment to implementing these resolutions remains very firm,” he said.
