The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has expressed serious concerns and commenced an investigation into a viral video where some officers attached to the command were seen maltreating some public members.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Kayode Kolade, has equally directed that those officers be withdrawn and be interrogated to facilitate decisive disciplinary measures against whoever is found culpable; assuring the general public, that the outcome of the investigative panel would be made public when concluded.

“The Command wishes to express its deepest empathy for the affected public members and wishes to equally condemn in strong terms such unethical conduct”, the CAC, Comptroller Kolade stated, in a statement made available to the Maritime First, stressing that “the action of the officers contradicts the value and operational standard of the Service”.

While calling on the stakeholders and public plying the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor to go about their lawful activities, the CAC assured that the Command remains committed to creating a safe and conducive atmosphere for Legitimate trade to thrive.

…Ali Muhammad praises Adeniyi’s leadership, saying recognising excellence motivates officers and enhances productivity

To promote professionalism and recognise exceptional service, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, on Friday, 29 November 2024, hosted the CGC Excellence Awards Night in Abuja. 

The annual event celebrated Customs officers who excelled in their duties, ranging from revenue generation and trade facilitation to anti-smuggling operations.

The ceremony, held in Abuja, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the National Assembly, and law enforcement agencies. Among the dignitaries were the Representative of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy who doubles as the Chairman Nigeria Customs Service Board, Mr Olawale Edun; Senator Isah Jibril, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs; Hon Leke Abejide, Chairman House Committee on Customs and Excise; and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who commended the NCS critical role in enhancing national security, trade facilitation and revenue generation.

Speaking at the event, CGC Adeniyi highlighted the significance of celebrating excellence within the Service, stating: “This strategic shift springs from our belief that positive reinforcement nurtures a more dynamic, motivated, and high-performing workforce.”

 He added that the awards represent a new direction for the Service, moving away from more emphasis on punitive measures to rewarding exceptional contributions.

The CGC acknowledged the challenges faced in 2024, including a 15% revenue deficit carried over from 2023, but emphasised the Service’s determination to overcome setbacks and achieve its goals. 

He called on officers to remain united and uphold the values of integrity, professionalism, and humanity in serving the nation.

Ali Muhammad, Director of Home Finance at the Ministry of Finance who represented the Honourable Minister, praised CGC Adeniyi’s leadership, noting that recognising excellence motivates officers and enhances productivity.

 Similarly, IGP Egbetokun lauded the collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the NCS, describing it as a cornerstone of national security efforts.

Among the recipients of the awards was Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Folusho Adeogun, Liaison Officer, Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN).

 The awards ceremony reinforced the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and professionalism, inspiring officers to continue serving the nation with dedication and pride.

…Hosts WCO, JICA Workshop on African Rules of Origin towards Strengthening Capacity Building

The Comptroller General of Customs CGC, Adewale Adeniyi has emphasised the critical role of a strong collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service NCS, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in the war against petroleum products smuggling, stressing that the service would leave no stone unturned, including engaging in geospatial surveillance and ground operations, under the NCS’ Operation Whirlwind.

He made the observation on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, while hosting the representatives of the IPMAN, NMDPRA, and Dangote Refineries at its Abuja headquarters.

“With eyes in the sky, we ensure integrity within the system. From the point of refinery production to designated filling stations, we can monitor and prevent diversion. A central filing system further enables us to maintain records and curtail illegal activities,” the CGC, who was represented by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation, Timi Bomodi stated.

The CGC said the meeting aimed to address the illegal exportation of petroleum products from Nigeria.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, described the initiative as a call to duty, underlining its importance for national economic stability.

“This is about ensuring that products meant for our citizens are delivered promptly. We are committed to supporting legitimate trade, but those exploiting the backdoor will face stringent measures. We are steadily closing in on this challenge,” Ejibunu declared.

The President of IPMAN, Abubakar Shettima, raised concerns about the seizure of trucks and the closure of certain filling stations. Nonetheless, he pledged IPMAN’s support for the NCS’ anti-smuggling efforts, especially in border areas.

“Smugglers must face prosecution to protect Nigeria’s economy and ensure growth, despite the challenges faced by oil marketers,” Shettima remarked.

The meeting, which included an interactive session, concluded with an agreement to reconvene on 10 December 2024.

 The next session will involve the Comptroller-General of Customs and other senior officials to further discuss sustainable solutions.

In another development, the World Customs Organisation (WCO), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), organised a five-day workshop starting from Thursday, 28 November 2024, aimed at building the capacity of Customs operatives across African countries in the area of rules of origin.

Speaking to journalists shortly after declaring the workshop open, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, DCG Caroline Niagwan, noted that the two international organisations had formed an alliance to provide technical assistance.

 This includes training initiatives to support Customs officers across the African region.

DCG Niagwan stated: “The European Union and the World Customs Organisation signed a partnership agreement for a comprehensive programme that would foster the full implementation and application of the rules of origin in Africa.

“This programme, known as the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa Programme, enhances the capacity of Africa and supports the implementation and application of rules of origin to boost intra-African trade. That is the whole rationale.”

Faith Mathenge, a Rules of Origin expert and facilitator for the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa Programme, reiterated that the programme was designed to build capacity for African countries in rules of origin, which she described as crucial for facilitating trade.

She affirmed the WCO’s commitment to providing continuous support to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) through training initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency of its officers.

Mathenge revealed that nearly 26 countries sent representatives to participate in the workshop and encouraged attendees to pay close attention to the modern technicalities associated with rules of origin.

She commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his unwavering support for capacity building. “I must commend the CGC for prioritising capacity building, which is the bedrock that will enable his officers to implement procedures that facilitate trade and enhance compliance,” she said.

The workshop underscored the importance of collaboration in fostering intra-African trade and strengthening the role of Customs officers in implementing rules of origin effectively.