Nigeria Customs Collaborates with UN-Habitat to fight Smuggling
ZAINAB JUNAID
In what seems to be a shinning light at the end of a dark tunnel for smugglers who have refused to desist from their nefarious activities now has a bleaking hope as the anti-smuggling activities of the Nigeria Customs Service has been backed up by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN—Habitat.
The Customs was given the assurance of collaboration by the UN agency, when Ambassadors of the UN- Habitat led by Dr. Raymond Edoh, visited Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR. at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday, 19 September 2023.
Ag. CGC who was delighted with this development, told the representatives of the agency that under his watch, the Service will implement every necessary action against saboteurs of Nigeria's economy to cripple their ‘illegitimate’ business of smuggling.
He said, “On behalf of the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service, I wish to inform you that we will partner with you in this campaign, and we will grant you all forms of support you may need to carry out this campaign — and I want to assign one of our amiable DCGs, Abba Kura, to work with you closely.”
He appreciated how they travelled from afar to intimate the Nigeria Customs Service of their campaign against smuggling, which, according to him, the Nigeria Customs Service has already started yielding positive results in suppressing the menace of smuggling.
The CGC also welcomed Dr Raymond's offer to engage officers and men of the Service in capacity—building to enhance their understanding of digital literacy skills, adding that the Service has already started embracing technology to advance its work by introducing related courses to officers.
The CGC appreciated the collaborative effort between the Nigeria Customs Service and UN—Habitat and believes that the collaboration signifies a commitment to tackling smuggling and enhancing trade facilitation in the nation, setting the stage for a more prosperous future.
The CGC said, “What we're trying to do is to raise a modern Customs Service through partnering with stakeholders to achieve our goals because we value partnership, and I am happy that you extended your hands of collaboration to work with us.”
He also appreciated their promise to train officers and men of the Service in digital literacy skills, assuring that the Service will continue to prioritize proficiency in the fight against smuggling through technological approach.
He underscored the importance of digital skills, promising that the relevant Service department will enhance trade facilitation.
On his part, the Director of UN—Habitat, Dr. Raymond Edoh, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reposing the responsibility of heading the Nigeria Customs Service on the Acting Comptroller-General, describing him as “a competent Customs officer who knows the terrain and masters the job.”
According to him, they decided to visit the Ag. CGC at the Customs Headquarters to express their interest in partnering with the Service.
He appreciated the Service for being a “gatekeeper of the country” that protects citizens against border threats, stressing that his organization will collaborate with NCS to mitigate the smuggling of illicit goods and train officers and men of Customs on digital literacy skills and certification.
UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for developing urban policies and translating them into action to create sustainable cities and promote viable urban development and adequate shelter for all.
