Customs Boss Assures NTFC of Partnership

The comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR yesterday, received members of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) who paid the customs boss a courtesy visit at the Headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Abuja.

Chairman of the Committee, S A Audu, who said the executive was there to congratulate the CGC on his appointment and solicited the partnership of the CGC and his management in achieving the committee’s goal of facilitating trade.

“Let me start by congratulating you on your appointment and I wish to reiterate that with your loads of experience, expertise as well as leadership qualities, this organization will attain great heights.

“Part of the reason we are here is to look for Customs collaboration in developing and implementing policies that will ease the clearance, rapid release of goods for import and exports, especially for compliant traders.”

A statement by the Customs National Public Relations Officer, CSC Aliyu Maiwada said Audu informed the customs helmsman that the committee has drafted a trade facilitation roadmap document, designed to guide the implementation of the policies.

“It is important that we continue to work together to enhance trade facilitation in Nigeria”, Audu said.

Responding Adeniyi commended Audu and his team and assured the committee of customs commitment to trade facilitation always.

“I have embarked on a lot of consultations with stakeholders because partnering with stakeholders is part of my priorities.”

The customs boss also pledged to support the committee in terms of physical nearness and will consider bringing them closer to the administrative headquarters.

“If I may start addressing your challenges, I wish to inform you that Nigeria Customs Service will gladly respond to your suggestions. I assure you that as soon as we relocate to our new Headquarters, Customs will assign a place for you to settle in.”

The Committee membership has spread across organizations such as Customs, NAFDAC, Police, NDLEA, Ministry of Transport, FIRS, SON, CBN, NNPC, NASEMA, NACCIMA, amongst others.