September 17, 2024

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1 FG reaffirms commitment to consumer empowerment through standardisation

2 Firm calls for inclusion of GIS in primary, secondary school curricula

3 India trains more than 27,500 Nigerians in 45 years – Envoy

4 Young innovators advocate digital revenue systems

5 National Identity Day: Tinubu reaffirms commitment to digital infrastructure

Economy/Business

NSC, AfCFTA partner to boost intra-African trade

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has announced plans to partner with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance intra-African trade.

Mr Pius Akutah, NSC Chief Executive Officer, made this known during a courtesy visit to the National AfCFTA Coordinator, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, in Abuja.

The two institutions aim to improve maritime connectivity via the Sea Link Project, a strategic initiative to boost intra-African trade.

“The council is also collaborating with the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) to develop a sea link between members of the Joint Development Zone (JDZ), comprising Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe.

“The Sea Link Project will establish a maritime shipping line providing cabotage, passenger services, and goods haulage among JDZ countries.

“The project, which follows a successful comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study, aims to reduce cargo movement costs and increase maritime and trade activities among JDZ countries.

“Upon completion, the project will ensure duty payment only on goods delivered to ports of final destination.

“It will improve maritime services frequency between Nigeria and Sao Tome & Principe, enhancing commerce in the Gulf of Guinea,”he said.

According to him, the project will also improve private sector initiatives by providing efficient sea transport services, giving exporters and importers a competitive edge.

He also said it would eliminate the need for cargo trans-shipment in Europe for intra-African trade, increasing trade volume and transportation efficiency in the sub-region to boost economic growth and development for Nigeria.

Earlier, AfCFTA National Coordinator, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, expressed willingness to collaborate with NSC on the sea link project due to its importance and benefits for the region.

He proposed exploring opportunities for collaboration in services trade to enhance Nigeria’s export capabilities.

Awolowo suggested establishing an AfCFTA desk at major ports to serve as a resource centre for traders, providing guidance on AfCFTA protocols, documentation, and compliance requirements.

He also proposed intensifying port sensitisation and awareness campaigns on AfCFTA.

Awolowo expressed optimism about future collaboration to achieve the shared goal of maximising AfCFTA’s benefits for Nigeria.

He acknowledged the creation of a dedicated expert line aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and canvassed for continued efforts to further streamline port operations to reduce bottlenecks hindering trade efficiency.

Awolowo thanked the NSC for their invaluable support during the inauguration of the Guide Trade Initiative (GTI) under AfCFTA, describing their effort as instrumental to the event’s success. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

NCS boss, Adewale Adeniyi (Left) with PAP Interim Administrator, Maj. General Barry Ndiomu during the partnership visit
General News , Niger Delta

NCS, PAP to strengthen inter-agency collaboration on Niger Delta

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have agreed to partner to strengthen operations towards peace and development in the Niger Delta.

The strategic partnership was agreed when the acting Comptroller-General of the NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, hosted the PAP Interim Administrator, retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja.

Adeniyi, who described Ndiomu’s visit as timely, said that it would further enhance the peace building efforts of the two institutions in the Niger Delta, and open up other vistas of opportunities.

He added that the NCS would benefit from PAP’s resourcefulness in terms of information sharing.

While commending Ndiomu on his achievements since he took up the PAP top job, Adeniyi expressed optimism that both agencies would work more closely to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

In his remarks, Ndiomu said that the visit was part of his ongoing strategic and far-reaching efforts to create linkages between the PAP and other relevant institutions.

This, he said, was to create windows of opportunities for ex-agitators to secure viable and sustainable means of livelihoods.

Ndiomu further restated his commitment to make the PAP more successful, while appealing to the Customs boss to enrol ex-agitators with degrees into the service.

The PAP Interim Administrator lauded Adeniyi for his strides in the NCS and assured that his administration would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to sustain peace in the Niger Delta. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Adewale Adeniyi
General News

Nigeria, Benin Republic collaborating to strengthen trade relations – NCS

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is in collaboration talks with the Customs Service of neighbouring Republic of Benin to improve trade relations between both countries.

The Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja, at a two-day working visit of the Director-General of Customs, Republic of Benin, Alain Hinkati, to Nigeria.

Adeniyi said that Hinkati’s visit was in furtherance of ongoing efforts to enhance customs administration, trade facilitation and regional cooperation.

According to him, the visit marks a significant milestone in our journey to strengthen collaboration, eliminate barriers and promote legitimate trade within the West African region.

“It is with profound gratitude that I recall our previous visit to our esteemed counterparts in Benin, where fruitful discussions and resolutions were made; forging a path towards more efficient and effective customs practices.

“Today, I am honoured to highlight some of the remarkable progress we have made since that visit, as well as the commitment to further solidify these gains.

“On promotion of ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the
relevant department within the NCS has been entrusted with the task of reviewing the current impediments to the scheme to chart practical ways forward.

“Our objective remains steadfast; to stimulate economic growth, foster regional integration and nurture prosperity among our nations,” he said.

The Acting CG said that, in collaboration with the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police, the NCS had undertaken substantial measures to reduce barriers along trade corridors.

He said that by addressing those challenges, the NCS was fostering a more conducive environment for legitimate trade to flourish.

“We are currently in the final stages of integrating our IT systems with the
Federal Road Safety to curb illegal entry of vehicles.

“This integration will enhance our ability to monitor and regulate cross-border vehicle movements more effectively,” he said.

Adeniyi said that initiatives have also been launched to harmonise the list of products prohibited in Nigeria.

According to him, this step not only promotes consistency but also facilitates smoother trade relations with our partners.

He added that the NCS was swiftly progressing toward Nigeria’s integration into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), joining hands with other West African nations.

“This interconnected system promises to further streamline our transit operations and improve regional trade dynamics”.

He said the accomplishments were a testament to the dedication in collaboration with regional partners, adding, however, that the journey was far from complete.

“The challenges we face require our continued commitment and resolve to overcome them. As we solidify these gains, we must also look ahead with a sense of urgency,” Adeniyi said.

The visiting D-G Customs of the Republic of Benin, Alain Hikanti, had earlier commended the NCS for its efforts at forging the collaboration.

Hinkati said that his visit to Nigeria had provided the opportunity to deepen the different issues that were raised in June when Adeniyi paid a similar visit to the Republic of Benin.

“We have decided to explore the benefits of the opportunities of our mutual advantages.

“We are working towards having a Nigeria clearing ground Republic of Benin to make importation of goods through our borders more seamless,” he said.

Also present at the event were the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Olukayode Olugbenga, and the Ambassador of Republic of Benin to Nigeria, Marcelline Adjovi-Yekpe. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy/Business

Customs intercepts smuggled goods worth N79m in Katsina

Abdullahi Shugaba

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area Command in Katsina, says it intercepted smuggled goods worth N79million  between February and March 2021.

Mr Adewale Aremu, the state Area Controller of Customs (ACC), disclosed this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina on Wednesday.

Aremu said the seized goods included 470 bags of 50kg rice concealed in different compartments of a fuel tanker.

“Others include 367 bales of second hand cloths worth over N30million; used Honda Accord salon car worth over N8million as well as 166 jerry cans of vegetable oil valued at N1.8 million.

“Also confiscated are 321 cartons of foreign spaghetti; 97 cartons of couscous; 110 cartons of macaroni; 65 cartons of milky creamer; 14 cartons of clinical plaster and 187 bags of sugar,” he said.

Aremu said the tanker with registration number KWL 427 TH has a duty value of N13.5million.

“The trailer used for conveying the second hand cloths is valued at N12.1million,” he said.

Aremu reiterated that the NCS will not relent in its efforts to track down smugglers in the country, pointing out that the practice was detrimental to the economy of Nigeria. (NAN)

Economy/Business

What I want to be remembered for–Hameed Ali

By Mustapha Sumaila

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), retired Col. Hameed Ali, says he wants to be remembered for putting the NCS on “a pedestal of fast development’’.

Ali made the announcement when he featured as guest on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja on Sunday.

He said he was working hard to put the NCS on a training pedestal where the capacities of officers and men would be well harnessed.

The customs chief said that his dream and passion were to make the customs technology-based, where every process would be done electronically.

“I want to leave customs on pedestal of training and enabling equipment. We need technology, we need modern technology for today and tomorrow.

“That is why we pushed and got approval for e-customs. E-customs is key to the survival and progress of the service.

“By the time we deploy e-customs, it will be an end-to-end automation, which means that from that moment even on the table of every customs officer, you won’t find a paper, everything will be electronic-based; that is our hope.

“In a nutshell, I want to be remembered as somebody who has gone into customs and did his best to improve and increase the progress of the service.

“Most especially, that I have been able to put customs on a pedestal of fast development in tandem with global best practices.” (NAN)

Economy/Business

Customs Staff College is centre of excellence, says comptroller-general

By Emmanuella Anokam
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), retired Col. Hameed Ali, says the NCS staff college is meant to train people in global best practices.

Featuring at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum on Sunday in Abuja, Ali said the NCS established the college through collaboration with the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

NAN recalls that the college commenced the training of NCS staff in 2016 after Ali’s assumption of office as comptroller-general.

The college was established to boost the skills of officers and men to be more professional in discharging their duties.

According to him, the junior and senior colleges are almost at the same level with the armed forces college which is running some parts of the teaching aspect of Customs Staff College.

“So far, we have turned out about five sets of officers going through the college. That has really improved the standard of performance in customs.

“It is our hope that when we finish training these young ones and by going through the process of the staff college, we will have one of the best customs globally.’’

Describing technology as key to the success of customs activities, he explained that he was not happy that the organisation had not deployed technology in its operations.

“But we are giving it a consent and doing the best we can.

“You hear that NCS does not do what we call 100 per cent examination of containers of goods because we do not have scanners on ground.

“We are working assiduously on that so that our job will be smoother and faster,’’ he said.

Economy/Business

Restructuring, reforms, revenue generation key to NCS success- Ali

By Emmanuella Anokam
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), retired Col. Hameed Ali, on Sunday cited restructuring, reforms and revenue generation as key factors responsible for the impressive performance of the NCS.

Ali, who made the disclosure at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja, said that the three items were the mandates given to him by President Muhammadu Buhari on his appointment.

He said that the NCS under his leadership was focusing on aligning the NCS’s operation with international best practice through the mandate.

“We developed many standard operating procedures to achieve the mandate, all the officers became accustomed to restructuring.

“Training was no longer by chance but by schedule and a fundamental thing. No training, no promotion.

“So we renovated our college, developed a curriculum for training of our officers. For us to do the best we must train and continue to train.’’

He, however, described the NCS as a highly technical organisation, governed by laws, including the World Customs Organisation (WCO) laws, Civil Service laws and laws enacted by the National Assembly.

According to him, the approval of certain recommendations by the president also enhanced the remuneration and welfare of the organisation.

The comptroller-general also disclosed that he was working towards providing office and residential accommodation for NCS workers.

According to him, in the next one or two years, officers will no longer stay in rented apartments, especially those working in the borders.

Ali noted that the NCS had also empowered some commands and created enabling environments for them to operate effectively.

Economy/Business

Judiciary critical in corruption fight, says Custom chief

By Mustapha Sumaila
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), retired Col. Hameed Ali, says the Nigerian judiciary is a critical element in the fight against corruption.

Speaking at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja on Sunday, Ali noted that enforcement of relevant rules and regulations was also critical in the fight.

“For corruption to be fought to a standstill in the country, there are components that must work effectively.’’

He noted that without effective judicial support in the anti- corruption fight, no matter how well a case was investigated, such a case would die.

The customs boss, however, lamented that at the moment, most politically exposed cases were still pending in courts after several years.

Ali said that President Muhammadu Buhari had the zeal and commitment to fight corruption but that he had faced severe challenges with the system.

He said the present administration had succeeded in instilling into the conscience of people that corruption was bad.

“Corruption is an area we are still grappling with. It is an area we need to do a holistic views of our system. If the judiciary does not work, there is no way anything can happen.

“So we must overhaul our judiciary and overhaul the enforcement and if these two work efficiently, corruption will be fought.

“One of our strong pillars of our promise is that we are going to fight corruption and of course, you know the president is somebody that has penchant for fighting corruption. He is incorruptible.

“His stance on corruption, especially when he was the head of state made him standout as somebody who fights corruption.

“Our biggest bane is corruption in Nigeria and if we can reduce our corruption level by 30 to 40 per cent, I tell you the progress we will make in this country will be tremendous.

“If you realise, the money that goes out of the system through corrupt practices is humongous and so what we really need to do is to fight this corruption,” Ali said.

Economy/Business

Border closure was to enforce protocol among neighbouring countries- NCS

By Mustapha Sumaila
The Federal Government implemented the border closure policy to send a message to Nigeria’s neighbouring countries.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), retired Col. Hameed Ali, made the disclosure in Abuja on Sunday.

He was speaking at a special interview session at the headquarters of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Ali explained that the closure of borders was not meant to be permanent but that it was carried out to send a strong message to neighbouring countries.

He said that in the past, neighbouring countries did not honour or adhere to protocols and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on border management.

“We just set up a joint border patrol. It is an offshoot of the joint border drill, which was the operation we launched to close our borders.

“The intention was not to close our borders perpetually. It was to send a message to our meighbours that they cannot continue to go against the protocols that are established and acceded to.

“When we abide by certain protocols on movement of goods across our borders, we discovered that those rules are no longer adhered to by our neighbours.

“We made multiple advances. We have reached across, we have signed papers in terms of MoU but none of them worked.

“So we are left with no option than to close our borders and send a message.

“We developed joint border drill to effectively close the borders and manned it and we now had to look at it that we cannot continue to close our borders so what do we do?

“We reopened it and we are now working with our neighbours — our counterparts in Niger Republic and Benin Republic.

“We have to come up with a concept that now gives us the chance to monitor and manage our borders without closing the exits and entrances, so that is how we came up with joint border patrol.”

Ali said that every country involved in the arrangement established its own but that there had been synergy so far among the operators of the joint border patrol.

According to him, officers and men involved in the patrol often share information with one another for effective management of borders.

“If there are movements of illicit persons or goods, they communicate from that end to our end, so also do we do. We share intelligence and information.

“We have also exchanged the list of prohibited items, like those Benin Republic does not want in its country. We make sure we block them here before they cross.

“Also from the other side, there are things we don’t want to see in Nigeria. For instance, poultry products are still prohibited to be imported into the country.

“We are working with coordinators of the joint border patrol. We have created that synergy. The agreement is that on monthly basis, we will continue to get reports on how things are unfolding.

“On daily basis, there will be interaction between them and it is our hope that this will help in reducing the influx of illicit items in or out of Nigeria.

“We have established that and it has started working and we hope that will be the magic in terms of managing our borders.”

The customs boss expressed his optimism that by the time e-customs is unveiled, the NCS will deploy necessary technology to verify goods coming into or going out of Nigeria.

He noted that the technology would also help the NCS to tackle the menace of smuggling.

Economy/Business

Reduction in vehicles tariff begins February, says Custom chief

By Mustapha Sumaila
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is to commence implementation of tariff reduction on vehicles before the end of this month.

The NCS Comptroller-General, retired Col. Hameed Ali, made the announcement at the flagship News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that the commencement of the policy followed the transmission of the directive to the NCS by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

NAN recalls that on Jan. 26, the customs’ boss had said that the NCS was awaiting directives from the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning on the implementation of the Act.

President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Finance Bill, 2020 into law on Dec. 31, 2020, stipulating downward review of Excise Duty on tractors and motor vehicles for transportation.

“The Act has been transmitted to us. We received the minister’s mandate this week, to start working on it, although we have to develop certain regulations and measures on how we intend to implement the law.

“We have to change our codes to fit into the new law. You know that commercial vehicles levy is the only levy that has been reduced from 35 per cent to five per cent.

“So we have to change the codes to fit into the new law and we hope we’ll finish that in two days and the minister will have to look at it and agree that yes that is what we should do.

“I hope not too long from now, by next week or next two weeks, this law will come into effect. We will circulate it to our own commands to begin to operate.”

The customs boss noted that the new law would help the country to have vehicles meant for transportation with reduced duty for the benefit of Nigerians.

He noted that the high duty paid had also resulted to increased smuggling of vehicles into the country.

Ali disclosed that statistics available to the service showed that about 300,000 to 400,000 vehicles coming into Nigeria first stop in Benin Republic before being smuggled into Nigeria.

He said that the reduction of duty, especially on the transport sector would make Nigeria to have strong vehicles for conveying goods and services as well as passengers.

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