Author: Muhammad Bashir.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) to foster bilateral relationship for the enhancement of economic growth.

On Wednesday, 8 May 2024, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi led some of his management team in Shenzhen, where he highlighted the significance of knotting bilateral affiliation with China, which, according to him, will boost the two countries’ import-export operations and favour the businesses of MSMEs in Nigeria.

The CGC appreciated the Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Lingjun, for showing interest in signing MoU with the NCS. He also applauded the recent exponential rise in the development of e-commerce, adding, “We know a lot of Nigerian companies and SMEs take advantage of the opportunities aided through e-commerce.”

CGC Adeniyi expressed optimism that the NCS-GACC Memorandum of Understanding will serve as a critical component of cooperative security and trade relationship between the two nation’s Customs agencies, reiterating that “The relationship will create a cooperative mechanism for NCS and the GACC to collaborate on supply chain security standards and enhance the economic stability of both nations.”

“These are some of the many reasons why Nigeria Customs Service pays attention to what is happening in China. As you have said, China is making the biggest trade in Nigeria, and the basic context of International Trade is ‘your export is our import’. I appreciate the numbers that you gain in Nigeria. But it is also common knowledge that those numbers sometimes must take account of the large volume of informal trade that exists between us.” CGC Adeniyi said.

Mr Wang Lingjun of the General Administration of Customs, who represented Vice Minister Sun Yuning, and signed the MoU on behalf of the People’s Republic of China, expressed satisfaction over CGC Adeniyi’s vision that the affiliation between two agencies will serve as a mechanism for creating opportunities that Nigeria and China share on a wide range of economic issues and trade facilitation.

Author: Lucy Nyambi.

Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh, in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, has restated the commitment of the service to improve Trade Facilitation and ease of doing business within the Free Zones.

Comptroller Olumoh pledged during his maiden working visit to Alaro City and Lekki Free Zones on Thursday, 9 May 2024.

According to him, the visit is to better understand the operations of the free zones under his command. “I am coming to renew our pledge of support and dedication to the continuous development of the zones. The Nigerian Government, through the NCS, is very much committed to the overriding goal of making the free zones economically rewarding to the nation. We appreciate you having these investments here”.

“It is our duty and responsibility to provide you with that positive climate, that enabling environment for you to flourish, so I want to assure you that you can always count on us in the command of anything that will hinder you. Please, my doors are open, and I have a listening ear to address your concern and to do everything possible to get these barriers out for you to thrive”. The CAC stated.

Adetayo Oduwole, Head of Operations, Alaro City Free Zone, as well as the Managing Director, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Zhang Bin, appreciated the Customs Area Controller for his visit while also pledging their compliance with stipulated procedures.

At the Customs Processing Centre, Comptroller Olumoh urged officers to stick to the core values of the service, as the leadership under Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, is very much passionate about promoting a service-oriented approach in Customs operations.

“Trade facilitation and Ease of Doing Business is paramount. At no point in the chain would we want to see any needless delay that can ultimately be detrimental to the nation’s economy “. He said.

On his tour assessment, Comptroller Olumoh expressed delight at the enormous investments in the free zones. “I’m happy we have enterprises here taking advantage of these opportunities. So, my tour around our zones today has been for me to renew the fact that the Customs Command here will not depart from that pledge of continued support and cooperation in ensuring that our trade facilitation is enhanced and ease of doing business is improved”.

“That has been the key point we have been emphasising to all these enterprises, to assure them of our support so that they can fully explore the potential that abounds in this great country”.

Comptroller Olumoh urged the enterprises to imbibe a culture of voluntary compliance, which will allow for seamless customs processes.

He assured stakeholders of a friendly climate for trade and commerce to flourish in the free zones.

The CAC visited the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos Free Zone, and other enterprises within the Zone.

Abass Quadri

The Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, has handed over counterfeit $1.250,000 notes, cryptocurrency machines, and military accessories to representatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Army, respectively.

In a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Lagos on 9 May 2024, Comptroller Charles Orbih, in charge of the command, explained that it is based on the directive of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to foster inter-agency cooperation and collaboration.

Speaking on the achievement recorded by the command between January to April 2024, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) said the sum of N19,037,442,310 was generated, representing a 42 percent collection of the revenue target given to the command and a 67 percent increase when compared to the preceding year 2023.

He said, “In our effort to block revenue leakage, we also seized items such as precious stones, zinc, lithium, copper stones, 120 pieces of sim cards, and others”.

The CAC advised smugglers to desist from their nefarious acts as officers and men of the service are always on the ground to thwart their activities.

While the counterfeit notes, 5 cryptocurrency machines were handed over to the EFCC, 48 pieces of drones, 112 military wares, 2 bulletproof helmets, and 3 army vests were handed to the military.

Receiving the items, Assistant Commandant of EFCC II Oguzi Moses appreciated the service for making the commission’s work easier.

He said, “This is just the starting point of our investigation. With this machine, we have a lead to discover all criminals behind this as our system would analyse all these crypto machines and produce a better result”.

On his part, the General Officer Commanding 81 division, Major General Mohammed Usman, appreciated the CGC and the CAC for ensuring sister agency collaboration.

“As you can see, we are working together, and I know when we hand over these items to our drone experts, they will be able to use it.”

“Some of these drones can last up to 3 days on air, which means some mischievous ones bring them in, and we are happy the Customs are up to their task”. He concluded.