Author: Lucy Nyambi.

The Nigeria Customs Service Special Team codenamed “Operation Whirlwind,” which is tasked with ending the smuggling of petroleum products outside Nigeria, has intercepted 21,810 litres of Premium Motor Spirit within the Zone ‘A’ axis along the Seme Badagry road.

The National Coordinator, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, during a press briefing at Seme Area Command on Monday, 24 June 2024, revealed that the operation was successfully carried out based on credible intelligence.

“The operation Whirlwind Teams’ effort geared towards curtailing the menace of illegal smuggling of PMS product in Zone ‘A’ axis resulted in the interception of 21 810 Litres of PMS product.
The devastating effects of smuggling are numerous as it causes distortion in the supply chain of Petroleum products to designated states and filling stations as revealed based on credible intelligence,” he said.

Comptroller Ejibunu stated that the unwholesome practice often contributes tremendously to insecurity “as diverted Petroleum products were found to be used by bandits and other notorious groups undermining the internal sovereignty of our nation.”

Among the items seized are 43 kegs of PMS, 30 Litres each equivalent to 1,290 Litres and one mark truck/ tanker with chassis no: IMIAD3840TW003697 Containing 15,200 Litres of PMS at Jubau Filling Station along Seme Badagry road. A means of conveyance, one Suzuki salon with Reg no: SMK 83 Bk, on 14 June 2024.

Others include: One Pathfinder Jeep with Reg no: ABJ591DC and one Toyota Avensis with Reg no: 1973 with both specially built bunkers loaded with PMS at Muse filling station dated 18th June 2024; 124 kegs of PMS 30 Litres each equivalent to 3,720 Litres; 65 kegs of PMS of 40 Litres each equivalent to 2,600 Litres. In total, 189 kegs of PMS were intercepted at TIMI BOY GLOBAL VENTURE dated 19th June 2024.

Speaking on the effect of petrol smuggling, Ejibunu said, “The smuggling of PMS has 2 dangerous effects: economic and security. So, we want to cut the supply chain by all means possible.”

He called on well-meaning Nigerians to provide timely information, as the battle against smuggling of petrol requires the concerted effort of all and sundry.

Author: Folusho Adeogun

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the European Union (EU), Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, and GIZ, launched a series of capacity-building programs to enhance the capabilities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). These initiatives aim to improve the implementation of Advance Ruling, a trade facilitation measure designed to bring certainty and transparency to Nigeria’s customs operations by providing legally binding decisions ahead of transactions.

The training program, held from May 20 to May 31, 2024, at the NCS Headquarters, focused on critical customs procedures such as Tariff Classification, Rules of Origin (RoO), and Customs Valuation. Supported by the EU-WCO Harmonized System (HS) and Rules of Origin for Africa Programmes.

The capacity building, which is divided into three stages: Intermediate, Advanced, and Training-of-Trainers (ToT), is to ensure a thorough and progressive enhancement of skills among NCS officers. The final ToT session is scheduled for July 2024.

NCS officers have received training in tariff classification, concentrating on complex products like textiles, chemicals, and plastics, which are essential for accurate and efficient customs operations.

In the same vein, the NCS conducted a soft launch and stakeholder consultation for the Advance Ruling System On May 2, 2024, paving the way for its full implementation. A comprehensive sensitisation program, in collaboration with the WCO and GIZ, is set to begin in July 2024 to educate stakeholders and ensure widespread understanding and adoption of the new system.

Furthermore, the WCO has supported the development of Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) to guide the implementation of Advance Rulings, providing detailed guidelines on handling HS and RoO.

The capacity-building efforts by the WCO and its partners have been pivotal in preparing the NCS to implement Advance Rulings by enhancing the skills and knowledge of customs officers. This initiative aims to create a more efficient and transparent customs environment in Nigeria, aligning with international standards and fostering greater trust and cooperation in global trade.

By Lucy Nyambi

The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, has launched an environmental exercise within the command to promote sustainability and protect the local ecosystem.

The exercise focused on cleaning, planting and preserving the Command’s immediate surroundings, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable practices.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, on Friday, 21 June 2024, led his officers and men to plant flowers and plants to beautify and make the command environmentally friendly.

Speaking on his motivation, the CAC stated, “When you love the scent of the flower, you are at peace with nature. So we’re being environmentally friendly, and every Saturday, we also do environmental sanitation to keep our environment tidy.”

The Customs Area Controller, who enjoys farming, acknowledged that the exercise is also borne out of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi’s work-life balance initiative.

In another development, Comptroller Bamisaiye received officers from the Nigerian Army 15 Field Engineer Regiment (FER) to consolidate their existing synergy in ensuring the security of Nigeria’s Waterways.

Receiving his guests, Comptroller Bamisaiye, who had earlier paid a courtesy call to the unit, noted, “It is in the spirit of collaboration, consolidation and innovation as initiated by our Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, we have been there to visit them before now, so they have come to reciprocate our gesture because we work in collaboration”.

“There has always been cooperation and synergy between us. They need us, as we need them. At times, when we have a difficult task confronting the smugglers, we call them for reinforcement, and they respond, and it’s the same thing with us. Our goals are not competitive; we are serving the same master, and it is for the good of the two agencies, as well as the nation,” the CAC emphasised.

On his part, the Commanding Officer 15 Field Engineer Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Lawan, stated that the synergy will improve the operations of the two agencies to combat smuggling, piracy, and other illicit activities that threaten the economic and social stability of the Lagos/Badagry Waterway.