…Unveils roadmap for simplified trade
The newly appointed Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR recently played host to a delegation from the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture NACCIMA, led by its President, Dele Kelvin Oye.
This is in a bid to foster a shared and better future of trade in Nigeria through collaboration with relevant organisations including the organised private sector operators OPS.
Meanwhile, the service has also unveiled another roadmap towards simplifying trade in Nigeria through fast-tracking of compliant traders in line with the World Customs Organisation WCO protocol.
Addressing the CGC at the Customs headquarters, the NACCIMA president felicitated the CGC over his appointment and commended his exceptional steps of leading the Nigeria Customs Service to a better height and significant approach towards regulating trade industries in the country.
Mr. Kelvin reminded the CGC of the issues surrounding the certificate of origin, affirming that NACCIMA was determined to support the service in all ramifications.
In response, the Customs CG assured the president that the service was willing to collaborate with NACCIMA to succeed in facilitating trade.
He restated that the management under his watch is committed to strengthening the collaboration between the Service and stakeholders for the benefit of Nigerians, adding that the service will join hands with NACCIMA to organise a sensitisation workshop for the two parties.
On the new Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which the president sought sensitisation of members of NACCIMA; the CGC assured the president of Customs’ total commitment to involve them in the area.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller General of Customs was in a separate meeting with representatives of the United Bank for Africa, UBA, on a courtesy visit to the Customs headquarters, Abuja.
Leader of the delegation and non-Executive Director, Kayode Fashola, congratulated the CGC on his appointment while also informing him of their commitment to strengthen the cordial relationship between Customs and their firm.
The Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, on his part, appreciated the delegation’s timely visit and assured the bank of the Service’s commitment to deepening partnership between the two organisations.
The Nigeria Customs Service, on Wednesday, 2nd August 2023, unveiled another roadmap towards simplifying trade in Nigeria through in line with the World Customs Organization protocol.
Meanwhile, the new fast-tracking of compliant traders’ project, also called ‘Authorised Economic Operators’ AEO, is provided under the new Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and is designed to systematically identify tolerable risks affecting the importation of legitimate goods into Nigeria.
During a presentation on the modalities of implementation at Customs headquarters Abuja, the Ag. Comptroller-General had re-echoed his commitment to tackling challenges bedeviling trade facilitation in Nigeria.
The CG, however, said that compliant traders and businesses of significant benefits should embrace will benefit from the innovation, assuring that it will be a game-changer in the realm of trade facilitation.
It is also believed that AEO project will contribute to ease of doing business across various sectors and attract investors into the country.
The process, which is expected to improve security and efficiency in fast-tracking goods, will reduce turnaround time for importers and double up the chances of generating revenue, which according to CGC, will strengthen the mutual recognition between the Service and stakeholders.
Some of the benefits that AEO brings are reducing examination and priority examination, among others.