The Customs Consultative Committee (CCC) has praised the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its remarkable achievements in revenue generation and enforcement of import regulations, describing the agency’s recent performance as exceptional.
According to a press statement signed by the committee, the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized goods amounted to a staggering ₦921,021,213 and the interception is a strong testament to the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to national security, public health, and economic growth.
The CCC commended the NCS under the leadership of Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for its critical role in advancing the goals of the National Strategic Economic Development Plan (NSEDP).
The committee highlighted the recent high profile seizure at the Apapa Port Command, where eleven containers of prohibited and restricted imports including unregistered pharmaceuticals and expired margarine were intercepted.
Recognizing the efforts of the Comptroller General and his team, the CCC attributed the service’s accomplishments to visionary leadership and strategic enforcement measures. He noted that such efforts not only safeguard Nigeria’s borders but also align with broader economic development goals.
In a forward-looking advisory, the CCC laid out a series of recommendations to help the NCS sustain and build on its recent successes. Among these were proposals for continuous officer training, stronger stakeholder engagement, refined risk management systems, adoption of advanced technologies, and public education on the newly enacted Customs Act of 2023.
The committee also urged the reinforcement of the 7Cs of Customs which are Courtesy, Competence, Consistency, Compliance, Control, Communication, and Compliance alongside adherence to the Alushta Declaration on Customs Integrity.
Furthermore, it emphasized the need to upgrade the B’Odogwu platform’s server infrastructure and bandwidth to reduce system downtime and facilitate smoother trade transactions.
The CCC suggested a six-month implementation window for the proposed reforms, expressing optimism that the NCS would not only meet but exceed expectations. It also encouraged the agency to adopt best international practices in transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
The CCC reiterated it support to be a steadfast partner to the NCS and looks forward to continued collaboration in driving excellence and integrity across Nigeria’s trade and customs operations.
