Author: Titus Omajali 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced on Thursday, 12 September 2024, that it will partner with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to boost trade, encourage local production and ease Cross-border trade.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this known when he received the Director-General (DG) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMEDAN, Charles Oidi, and his team at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.

The CGC stated that a dedicated SMEDAN team will be established at the NCS office to provide specialized assistance and facilitate seamless processes for small and medium-sized businesses engaged in cross-border trade. “The population of SMEs cannot be ignored. Whatever you do with them, you do it to strengthen the economy of the nation,” he said

Responding, the DG/CEO of SMEDAN, Charles Oidi, commended the CGC for his commitment to SME development and pledged to continue facilitating productive interactions between government agencies and the SME ecosystem. “SMEDAN remains dedicated to identifying bottlenecks, designing inclusive solutions, and implementing effective strategies to support the growth of SMEs in Nigeria,” he stated.

Author: Ibe Wada.

The Nigeria Customs Service Oyo/Osun Area Command has intercepted a significant consignment of used tyres in a recent operation to curb smuggling activities in the region.

In a press statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs, Kayode Wey, on 13 August 2024 on behalf of the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, the seizure which was on Monday, August 12, 2024, at approximately 9:45 pm, occurred along the Saki axis of Oyo State.

Comptroller Ben Oramalugo stated that importing and smuggling used tyres into Nigeria is illegal due to the significant risks they pose to public safety.

He highlighted that worn-out tyres are unsafe for road use, and their circulation endangers lives and property.

“The used tyres were discovered during a routine stop-and-search operation conducted by one of the Command’s anti-smuggling teams. Upon inspection, the tyres were found hidden within the truck in a bid to evade detection by law enforcement officers,” Comptroller Oramalugo disclosed.

The CAC reiterated the Command’s dedication to protecting the nation’s borders and economy by preventing substandard and prohibited goods inflow.

He stressed the importance of continuous surveillance, intelligence gathering, and the commitment to ensuring that only legitimate goods are allowed entry into the country.

In a stern warning to smugglers, the CAC reiterated the command’s unrelenting efforts to bring offenders to justice and, as such, urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities related to smuggling, as their cooperation is vital to safeguarding public safety and supporting the Command’s mission.

He acknowledged that the Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command, remains resolute in protecting Nigerians from the dangers of substandard and smuggled goods.

“The Command continues to collaborate closely with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure the effective enforcement of customs regulations across the region. I have to laud the operation’s success, attributing it to the vigilance and commitment of the Command’s officers,” he concluded.

Muhammad Bashir.

In a remarkable event on Tuesday, 13 August 2024, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi hands over the Vice-Chair of the WCO West and Central Africa Sub-Region to Mali’s Inspector-General of Customs, Amadou Konate.

The CGC emphasised that the sub-region serves as a platform for Customs Administrations to share experiences and develop lasting solutions to their common problems.

CGC Adeniyi also identified areas where the Nigeria Customs Service could assist the Malian Customs Administration in fulfilling its mandates, pledging mutual mentorship and support.

Speaking on the World Customs Organization (WCO) framework, Adeniyi explained, “The WCO is an umbrella body uniting over 184 Customs Administrations worldwide, led by an elected Secretary-General. Each of the six global regions has an elected Vice-Chair who assists the Secretary-General in the administrative structure.”

He continued, “The West African sub-region, comprising 24 Customs Administrations from West and Central Africa, is where we geographically belong.”

Adeniyi reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to revenue generation and supporting the national budget, aligning with the mandates of other Customs Administrations in the sub-region. He also emphasised the importance of trade facilitation and the role of Customs Administrations in implementing measures that enhance the trade environment.

Inspector-General Amadou Konate of the Malian Customs Administration expressed gratitude to CGC Adeniyi and his management team for their hospitality. He also expressed interest in building strong collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service in areas of public interest.

Konate noted that the administrative structure of the Malian Customs Administration differs from that of the Nigeria Customs Service but welcomed the opportunity to learn from their experience.