In a significant stride toward enhancing trade efficiency, the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, convened a pivotal breakfast gathering with key stakeholders in Kano.
This landmark meeting, held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, provided a platform for leaders in the import-export ecosystem, including Customs License Agents, Bonded Terminal Operators, and Importers, to articulate their concerns regarding operational hurdles, particularly in clearing consignments from Lagos and Onne Ports.
Among the primary challenges discussed were the complexities associated with procedure code changes and the cumbersome process of clearing consignments in transit from coastal ports to Inland Container Terminals in Kano.
In response to these pressing issues, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to transparency and efficiency, stating, “We empathize with the challenges faced by stakeholders and are resolute in our efforts to address them comprehensively.”
Highlighting the agency’s objectives, CGC Adeniyi emphasized the imperative to streamline procedures, facilitating seamless cross-border trade to propel economic growth and development.
To tackle concerns regarding manifest amendments causing unnecessary delays, the CGC pledged proactive collaboration with shipping lines through the Nigerian Shippers Council to swiftly resolve any impediments to timely clearance.
Addressing the issue of delayed escort for goods in transit, plans were unveiled to deploy an Electronic Cargo Tracking System, marking a proactive step toward automation and efficiency enhancement.
The stakeholders’ breakfast meeting symbolized a rejuvenated spirit of collaboration, reflecting the CGC’s strategic vision and optimism for Nigeria’s import-export sector’s future. Emphasizing the significance of ongoing dialogue and partnership, CGC Adeniyi expressed confidence in surmounting challenges collectively to unleash the full potential of Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
Notable attendees included Deputy Comptroller-General Muhammad Abba-Kura in Charge of Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation, Comptroller Federal Operations Unit Zone B, as well as Customs Area Controllers from Kano/Jigawa and Apapa Commands, among other senior customs officials.
