Customs Holds Sensitisation Workshop, Retreat For Management Members On Its New Act

Ayuba Sanusi 

THE Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has emphasised the need to embrace new innovative policies that will promote trade facilitation, prevent smuggling activities and carry out border enforcement in the country through the newly assented Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The CGC spoke on Monday, 10th July 2023, at the opening ceremony of a two-day sensitization workshop for the Service’s management staff, on the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA), 2023. The Ag CGC said the full implementation of the act remains imperative, as it will improve the performance, function and duties of the Service.

According to the Ag. CGC, “Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) was enacted 63 years ago, and had remained in operation since then without any significant amendment, notwithstanding the expansion in government, growth in population and dynamic progress and challenges in the economy.”

He appreciated the effort of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for keeping faith with the development and his support towards the implementation of the Act. 

“I also want to thank profoundly members of the 9th National Assembly for the expeditious consideration and passage of the bill as well as the Ministries of Finance, Justice, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, for the key role they played in the process.” CGC Bashir Adewale said.

Speaking earlier, the former Chairman, House Committee on Customs and Excise, Hon. Leke Abejide, while congratulating the new Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, also expressed delight over the enactment of the Act.

“This Act we are all celebrating today did not come that easy as the Bill was declined assent three (3) times. It got to a point, it became practically the only project I was doing as I was having meetings in the Ministry of Justice while also talking with the Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Customs Service,” he recalled.

He expressed optimism that the Act if well implemented, will pave the way to reforming the Service, shape the economy and also the career progression of officers with some enhanced level of professionalism and job motivation.

“Some of the reforms injected into the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 is the enhancement of trade facilitation policies of the Service, which has upgraded the status of the Service to the 21st Century strategic revenue generating institution of our dream,” he affirmed.

“This new legislation further marks a significant milestone in our efforts to streamline Customs procedures, enhance trade facilitation, and foster a conducive environment for economic growth and development,” he said.

In attendance were officials from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, and Federal Inland Revenue Service, among others.

Eighteen-Eleven Media