Trade Facilitation: Nigeria Customs Endorses WCO’s Green Initiative , Marks First Advance Ruling Anniversary
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has said the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) proudly supports the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Green Customs Initiative, which aims to facilitate the trade of environmentally
sustainable goods.
He made this known while delivering his keynote address at the NCS Trade Facilitation Consultative Forum and first anniversary celebration of the Advance Ruling Programme.
While considering this year’s theme, “Trade Facilitation for Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) Technologies”, he emphasised that the Green Customs Initiative responds to the growing number of legally binding Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and recognizes the critical role customs play in enforcing them .He noted that two key MEAs relevant to RE/EE technologies are the Montreal Protocol (1989), addressing ozone-depleting substances, and the Paris Agreement (2016), which focuses on mitigating climate change.
Speaking further, Adeniyi who was represented by Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said scientific evidence confirms that human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels, has led to increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and CFCs. These emissions contribute significantly to global warming and environmental degradation.
He stated that a key pillar of the Paris Agreement is the promotion of a sustainable, low-carbon future driven by investment in renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies and as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Nigeria is committed to transitioning towards cleaner and more efficient energy systems.
The CGC confirmed that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government continues to champion policies that foster investment, ensure sustainability, and promote responsible industrial practices, as outlined in Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP).
He announced that following the enactment of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which provides a legal framework for trade facilitation in line with international standards, the NCS has introduced several initiatives aimed at simplifying customs processes which include: B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling System, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, and Time Release Study.
“The NCS plays a pivotal role in supporting these national goals by facilitating the importation of renewable energy technologies and enforcing fiscal measures that promote a shift away from fossil fuel dependency, with a view to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
“As we commemorate the first anniversary of the Advance Ruling Programme, which has provided greater transparency and predictability in trade, I reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service, together with our global partners to ensuring efficient, secure, and sustainable trade operations.
“In recent times, trade facilitation has become integral to the operations of customs administrations globally, aligning with our core mandate of implementing international trade laws. These include the WTO Agreement on the Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994 (Customs Valuation Agreement), the WCO Harmonized System Convention of 1988 and its Annexes, and the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin.
” The implementation of these agreements by Customs stems from our traditional role of collecting duties on internationally traded goods, which is essential for national economic development.
“With the increasing volume of global trade, expanding global value chains, and the rise of e-commerce and Just-In-Time services, it has become imperative for Customs administrations to adopt mechanisms that support the seamless flow of legitimate trade. Such mechanisms are essential not only for sustaining international commerce but also for empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from cross-border trade.”, he said
