Acting Customs CG Pledges to Enhance Community Relations Strategies

...as Senate President Set up Committee to Investigate Customs Community Relationship in Katsina Axis

ZAINAB JUNAID

Just as the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio setup ad-hoc committee to investigate the intrigues behind the incessant attacks unleashed on the patrol teams of Kebbi and Katsina Area Commands of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) which led to the death of two officers and left one in serious injury, Ag. Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has pledged to prioritize community relations in border areas. 

Senator Godswill Akpabio had earlier set up a 7-man ad-hoc Committee during plenary session after Abdulaziz Yar’adua (APC, Katsina Central) moved a motion to study Customs Community relationship in Katsina axis, and also assigned Francis Fadahunsi (PDP, Osun Central), a retired Assistant Comptroller-General Customs to chair the committee.

While on a courtesy visit to the Ag. Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, at the Service headquarter in Abuja,  on Tuesday, 29 August 2023, the committee on Customs and Excise, led by Senator Francis Ade Fadahunsi MFR, relayed their findings to the CGC by submitting a progress report on their fact-finding mission.

In response, the Ag. CGC welcomed their show of commitment to helping Customs enhance its policy of improving border relationship and maintained that the Service, under his leadership, will continue to prioritize community relations in border areas to re-smoothen the discharge of the Service's constitutional mandates. 

His words, “We can't afford to antagonize any member of our host community. Because at the end of the day, what use is the facilitation of trade and the revenue we are generating if the communities are dead? So whatever we do, we do it in the interest of the community; that's the community that we're serving.”

He said that the Nigeria Customs Service will soon implement a new pattern of community engagement with Nigerians through initiating strategic corporate social responsibility programmes, which, according to him, will prioritize their social stability, welfare and well-being in all ramifications.

The Customs Boss, who recalled how the Service has been sustaining a Secondary School in Idiroko for nearly three decades now, said, “In terms of being responsive to the needs of citizens, we will be requesting the kind support and understanding of the National Assembly to carry out such meaningful projects and reserve some slots of employment to the members of our host communities.”

The Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, had often urged community members to see customs operatives as fellow Nigerians carrying out national duty within their communities.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Senate ad-hoc Committee on Customs and Excise, Senator Francis Ade Fadahunsi MFR, Senator Fadahunsi MFR, who commended the Acting Comptroller General's approach towards improving community relations and pledged that his committee members would continue to maintain a cordial working relationship with the Service, which will pave the way to achieving its target.

The delegation of the committee who attended the meeting were Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central), Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Suleiman Sadiq (Kwara North), Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katsina Central) and Adeola Olamilekan (Ogun Central).

VIN Valuation :Auto Importers Should Inculcate Transparency in Declaration, says Comptroller Yusuf

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf, Customs Area Controller of Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited has  urged importers of vehicles and their agents to imbibe transparency while making declarations for their imported vehicles.

This was contained in a release made available by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, CSC Yakubu Muhammed.

According to the statement, CAC Yusuf reiterated an earlier position held on Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Valuation process by the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters that the VIN Valuation Process remains fully operational and effective. 

This he did at a stakeholders sensitization meeting held on Wednesday August 29, 2023 at the Command on Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) valuation to dispelled the rumour that the VIN method has been cancelled. 

He added that the trim numbers are critical in identifying distinct versions or tiers within a specific car model. "They delineate varying configurations, features, and levels of equipment associated different models, 

"The trim of vehicles are not same for all kinds while urging declarants to have their transaction values. Some declarants are not being transparent because they go inputing what they think is the lowest base value which necessitates interventions like demand notice and alerts.

They ought to apply invoice and transaction values as a way of promoting transparency and building integrity in the trade process of vehicle clearance," he said. 

Comptroller Yusuf added that Section 24 Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023 provides for advance ruling for stakehokders to submit to the NCS before  a transaction and the ruling will be binding on the service and the importer or agent. This according to the Controller is a unique trade facilitation method provided for by the new law

The CAC who described the meeting as being in line with Customs act law as customs stakeholders partnership can be found in section 29 NCSA 2023, said "meetings like this is meant to rub minds, identify challenges and jointly work out solutions on how best to resolve the challenges. This meeting is in conjunction with WCO and WTO trade facilitation thrusts which encourage consultations."

He reminded the stakeholders that the use of code 846 for clearing of non standard VIN has been further modified to reduce human contact through what he called e-846. This saves time and makes trade easier. 

"I must commend the system because the reduction of human contact is very effective and beneficial to all as it saves time. I personally monitor electronically from my office and can confirm that my officers are implementing it diligently. 

"Where ever you are experiencing delay in the process under my command, please draw my attention to it. My doors are open and will be more open to all of you. The help desk headed by the Command's Public Relations Officer is active and responding to all inquiries online and in real time"  Comptroller Yusuf said.