Nps

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, in an effort to enhance port efficiency and facilitate seamless trade, deepened collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) during a visit to NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko, on Thursday, January 25, 2024. 

This is contained in a statement made available to journalists by the spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwadah, on Friday. 

According to Maiwadah, the CGC said the ongoing efforts between NCS and NPA shared the goal of achieving port efficiency. 

He was quoted as saying, ”NPA desires to achieve port efficiency, and we believe that in customs, Ports efficiency will help to facilitate trade.” 

Acknowledging the need for increased competitiveness in Nigerian ports, CGC Adeniyi stated, “We want to make our Ports more efficient. When our Ports are more efficient, it will translate into better efforts in revenue generation.” 

Addressing cargo clearance processes, the CGC affirmed the importance of technology in streamlining operations.

“If we deploy a scanner to examine goods, rather than subject them to a hundred percent examination, that’s one way to make them faster and more efficient,” he explained.

He further revealed plans for risk management expansion and the introduction of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) in the first quarter of the year. 

The MD of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, commended the CGC for his responsive approach to trade facilitation issues.

He highlighted the successful partnership in the functioning of the export desk, resulting in a significant increase in cargo exports. 

Discussing the critical need for efficient cargo clearance, MD Bello-Koko stressed the necessity of a 24-hour port operation.

“We need to be able to clear cargo as quickly as possible,” he noted.

“For them to do that, it means you need the shipping lines, terminal operators, security, and everybody to be on their toes and work 24 hours.”