Customs Corner
Customs Inaugurates Committee to Ease Port Congestion in Nigeria
By Gift Wada
In an endeavor to expedite the decongestion of overcrowded ports burdened with an excess of overtime cargo, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, officially launched a committee on Disposal of Overtime Cargo on 8 November 2023, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja.
This development arises in response to the new Customs Act’s provisions, which empower the NCS to dispose of containers that have exceeded their allotted time within the ports.
CGC Adeniyi emphasized that alleviating port congestion stands as a paramount objective for the Nigeria Customs Service, as well as President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, offering the promise of heightened efficiency and enhanced trade facilitation.
“It’s worth noting that approximately six months ago, the new NCS Act received the former President Mohammed Buhari’s signature, ushering in substantial modifications to the previous protocols governing the disposal of overtime cargo,” the CGC stated.
According to him, the provision of the NCS Act 2023 mandated that the disposal of cargo exceeding its allotted time can now only occur through a court order.
“The Act also stipulates that goods must be disposed of through public auction or tender, to be widely publicized in advance through national newspapers, television, and the service’s official website,” CGC explained.
In acknowledging the initiative, the General Manager of MD’s office, Nigerian Ports Authority, Durowaiye Ayodele, expressed his relief, highlighting the issue of over 7,000 overtime containers that have remained for years across the ports.
“We have containers that have been there for over ten years, occupying economic space for which we are unable to dispose. So this is a significant relief for our operations. We are delighted that we have reached a point where we can begin to remove some of these lingering containers and overdue cargo from the port,” he stated.
In his remarks, Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, in charge of Human Resources Development, Greg Itotoh, affirmed that with the support of the Nigerian Ports Authority, the changes and new procedures will ensure more streamlined trade operations.
The committee is set to be chaired by a senior officer from the Nigeria Customs Service. Its members include representatives from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the National Agency for Food, Drugs and Control, a representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, among others.
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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.
By Femi Anamelechi
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command has announced an all time highest revenue collection of N1.5 trillion from January to September 2024.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) made the announcement during a parade at the command on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.
He said the outstanding fit was made possible because of the meticulous documentation and professional discipline by officers and men of the Apapa Customs Area Command.
He praised the officers’ for their resilience, commitment and professionalism, while also charging them to do more. “We must surpass this achievement. We cannot afford to relax.”
The CAC assured that the service will continue to reward diligence, commitment and dedication to duty by officers.
Speaking shortly after the parade, Comptroller Olomu reiterated that the command’s outstanding performance in revenue generation was a result of the motivation and rewards system introduced by the command for officers who performed creditably.
“The excellent revenue generation of officers we recorded is as a result of blockage of all revenue generating leakage and proper documentation of payments by officers who were adequately motivated”, he stated.
He therefore, admonished officers in different categories to always strive for excellence in carrying out their statutory duties.
The CAC expressed the appreciation of Apapa Area Command to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for leading by example.
…As Comptroller Awe Reaffirms CGC’s Dedication to Recognition
Author: Abass Quadri
Comptroller Michael Awe, in charge of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Cargo (MMIAC) Command, has recognised four officers for their excellent performance in executing their duties.
The officers were honoured during a parade at the Command on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.
Addressing the Officers and men of the Command, the CAC stated that the recognition, which will be done monthly or quarterly, is part of the CGC’s commitment to rewarding hardworking officers.
“There are four officers here, each representing one month from May to August 2024, who will be given letters of recognition today. The letters have reached the Office of the Zonal Coordinator, and he will send them to headquarters,” the CAC said.
Regarding the Command’s revenue generation efforts, Comptroller Awe noted that more than N16 billion has been collected so far. He appreciated the senior officers for their support, acknowledging that this success could not have been achieved alone.
The recognised officers include CSC Itinu Jimoh, CSC Moses Aboki, SC Jidda Aliyu, and IC Sanni Mohammed.
The officers expressed their excitement and gratitude to the CAC for recognising their efforts.
According to CSC Aboki, “The CAC has assured us that we do not need to harbour any fears. Henceforth, we will conduct more thorough examinations, as it is through this that we can detect illicit or underpaid items.”
The parade concluded with a free eye test provided by Poise Eye Care Limited.
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