Customs Holds Stakeholders Roundtable to Enhance Service Delivery

The Comptroller

-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, held a roundtable interactive session with maritime and excise stakeholders to devise a lasting solution to issues facing clearance processes in ports across the Country.

The meeting, which was held in Lagos on Friday, 15th December 2023, was part of activities for the just concluded CGC's Conference, 2023.

It was attended by senior serving and retired Customs Officers, Terminal Operators, Freight Forwarders, Licensed Customs Agents, and Representatives of Excise Stakeholders, among others, to create a platform for interaction and identify the way forward to better Customs operations.

CGC Adewale Adeniyi clarified that concerns such as multiple alerts, frequent downtime of CPC, numerous checkpoints, and difficulty accessing ports, among others, have been established in previous meetings as the next phase is to set time-bound solutions.

In his words, “Issues have been openly discussed. The main ones facing cargo clearance will be addressed by collaborating with key stakeholders on building a framework for the way forward to these outlined hurdles."

"There will be a commitment to the creation and implementation of new policies that are in line with decisions that are taken today, and these approaches will be timebound to ensure we achieve the wanted objective soon," he said.

A panel was set up encompassing representatives of stakeholders and the Nigeria Customs Service to address the concerns hindering effective port operations and achieve cumulative recommendations, which will be carried out by 1st quarter of 2024.

Comptroller Dera Nnadi, who was part of the panelists, encouraged port users and stakeholders to optimize weekend operations; he also encouraged the use of barge without making it a commercial process.

Stakeholders appreciated the CGC for bringing back the Services' Annual Conference while expressing readiness to always work with Customs.

Reacting, the President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Tochukwu Ezisi said, "for the first time in years, freight forwarders are happy because issues are being discussed and decisions are taken immediately; the “CGC Adewale has shown seriousness in achieving his three-point agenda by bringing back this Conference, which is an avenue to listen to stakeholders, and we are ready to always work with the Service.” He added.

Also in his reaction, the Deputy President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Alhaji Kazeem Isa Adua stated that the CGC has done well in organizing this Conference and with the positive body language seen today one should expect smooth and optimized clearance process soon.

Comments

NCS Medical Team Trains Apapa Area Command Officers On First Aid

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) medical team yesterday trained officers and men of the Apapa Area Command on basic first aid training. ‎ ‎The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba according to a press release issued by the public relations officer of the command, Superintendent of Customs SC JT Ayagbalo described the initiative as a crucial investment in workplace safety and operational readiness. ‎ ‎In his welcome address, Comptroller Oshoba emphasized that the programme reflects the priority placed on staff welfare by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. ‎ ‎He described first aid knowledge as a universal life skill that every adult should possess, especially officers as they are frequently exposed to high-risk operational environments. ‎ ‎ Oshoba noted that simple but timely interventions such as; CPR, bleeding control, choking relief and stroke recognition often determine whether a victim survives, fully recov...

NIMASA Reshuffles Management Team For Enhanced Efficiency And Inter-departmental Collaboration

I n an exercise aimed at strengthening inter-departmental collaboration and inject new energy into the system to further improve performance and enhance efficiency across the maritime sector, The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced a strategic redeployment of its management staff as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery in line with its core mandate. Under the new structure, according to a press statement issued by Mr. Edward Osagie FNIPR, Head, Public Relations Officer of the agency, a total of 56 management staff were affected in the exercise. Notable amongst those redeployed are; Hajia Moji Jimoh who becomes Director, Administration and Human Resources; Aishatu Jidda, Director, Planning, Research and Data Management Services; Barr. Heaky Dimowo, Director, Legal Services/Board Secretary; Isichei Osamgbi, Director, SERVICOM; and Mrs. Olubusola Obasanjo-Akande, Director, Western Zone. Othe...

Comptroller Otunla Gives Insights On Strategies Adopted In Achieving Mandate At Ogun1 Command

Comptroller Godwin Aderounmu Otunla, who assumed duties as Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service Idiroko, Ogun State on Thursday 24th of April 2025 has continued to build on existing successes, strengthening the fight against smuggling and emphasizing his commitment to professionalism and integrity in customs operations. The Comptroller, in an exclusive interview with a group of selected journalists at the command's headquarters in Idiroko last Friday in the presence of the Public Relations Officers of the Command, CSC Chado Zakari revealed strategies he has adopted in achieving his mandate of trade facilitation, anti smuggling and revenue generation not leaving out officers welfare at the command. Excerpts : Question : Sir, having served for upward of 34 years now and reaching the pinnacle rank of Comptroller of Customs, and Customs Area Controller, how would you describe the feelings sir?‎ Response: Yes, am very, very elated with good ...

Maritimegistplus

Search This Blog