Senate Tasks Customs to Reduce Checkpoints for Flow of Goods

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Senate has asked the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to reduce the number of checkpoints at border communities to aid the free flow of goods.

This was part of recommendations at Tuesday’s plenary which followed the suggestions of an ad hoc committee, four months after setting up the committee to probe the alleged misuse of firearms.

It proposed that erring personnel who misuse their firearms at the nation’s borders should be punished.

Presenting the report at the parliament yesterday, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Francis Fadahunsi, said the comptrollers at the Idiroko and Katsina borders should be replaced with new ones.

“[The] federal government should direct the comptroller-general of customs and other heads of security agencies to reduce the multiple checkpoints mounted in border communities,” Mr Fadahunsi said.

“It will aid the free flow of goods in and around the communities to the main town and around the markets in the border communities,” the lawmaker added.

The upper chamber of the National Assembly specifically asked the federal government to direct the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adewale, to reduce the multiple checkpoints in Katsina State to enable the free flow of goods in and out of the communities.

The Senate also adopted the recommendation that the Customs boss redeploy the controllers of Katsina and adopt modern technology in discharging its mandate.

“The Comptroller General of Customs should investigate and review the alleged issuance of unofficial receipts to traders and non-traders in Jibia and Mai’adua, Katsina State by officials of Customs and other security agencies.

“This act has caused untold hardship to people living in these communities, as moving of goods (farm produce) across major markets and even to Katsina town and other neighbouring states is a herculean task.

“The Comptroller General of Customs should redeploy the Comptrollers of Kastina/Kaduna and Idiroko Area Commands, and appoint replacements who should establish a good community engagement programme.

“This will create a healthy relationship, and make the customs realize its mandate without being insensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the communities in the state.”