Customs Collaborates with NISS to Improve Officers' Proficiency

 Customs Collaborates with NISS to Improve Officers' Proficiency

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Ag. Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has re-echoed his stand to sustain the mastership of the Service in the area of protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians - through enhanced capacity building for his officers.

The CGC made this known during a courtesy visit of the Commandant of the National Institute for Security Studies(NISS), Ayodele Adeleke and members of the Institute to Customs headquarters Abuja on Tuesday, 6th September, 2023. 

CGC Adewale reiterated the need to join hands with the Institute in order to intensify the probity of officers and men of the Service. 

To him, "maintaining high security level in Nigeria should be a collaborative effort." 

The Customs Boss, who spoke about the importance of organizing capacity-building workshops, assured the entourage that the Service would continue to prioritize the institute.

Some members of the Service's management team and alumni of the institute expressed their appreciation for the opportunity garnered at NISS.

On his part, the Commandant of NISS, Ayodele Adeleke, noted that the Institute is currently researching "Globalization and Regional Economic Integration, Implications for Sustainable Development in Africa" and explained that their visit will be centred around a training program beneficial to the Service's management, officers, and personnel.

"The Institute is ready to collaborate with the Nigeria Customs Service to pursue excellence," he said. 

The National Institute for Security Studies is a centre for security studies, research, capacity building and staff development, amongst others.

Customs Takes Action on Defaulting Authorised Dealer Banks

 Customs Takes Action on Defaulting Authorised Dealer Banks

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has taken decisive action in response to selected Authorized Dealer Banks failing to meet Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) related to Customs Duty and statutory charge remittances.

This action which was contained in a press statement signed by Abdullahi Maiwada, National Public Relations Officer of the Service, aimed at ensuring accurate and timely remittance of Customs duties and other essential funds for national development.

According to the statement, "the decision follows a thorough audit and due process, aligning with the NCS's commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue collection.

"Despite the deactivation of these banks, the Comptroller General has implemented measures to minimize disruptions for importers and stakeholders within the trading ecosystem. He assures the trading community that all pending assessments will undergo clearance processes in line with international best practices.

"Importers who previously relied on the deactivated banks for duty payments are advised to utilize other Authorized Dealer Banks that comply with NCS regulations. Stakeholders encountering challenges with a particular bank are encouraged to use alternatives that function appropriately.

"The deactivated banks will have the opportunity to be reactivated once they meet all regulatory requirements and settle outstanding remittances. Collaborative efforts with financial regulators and stakeholders are underway to ensure the efficiency and integrity of the Customs Duty Collection system.

"The NCS places a priority on trade facilitation, putting stakeholders and Nigerian citizens first, even in the face of non-compliance by some Authorized Dealer Banks. This action underscores the NCS's commitment to maintaining a fair and transparent customs revenue collection process," the statement read. 

Customs Collaborates with NCCSALW

 to Fight Against Proliferation of Small Arms

ZAINAB JUNAID

Having intercepted over 1,000 live ammunitions concealed in 203 bags of foreign rice in August and realising that perpetrators of nefarious acts in the system are not yielding positively to clarion calls, the Nigeria Customs Service has again collaborated with the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to fight against the trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons. 

The Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, expressed the readiness of his management team to embark on this move to the Coordinator of the Center, Maj. Gen. Abba Muhammad Dikko (rtd.), on Tuesday, 5th September, 2023, at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja.

He stressed that this is not the first time Nigeria Customs Service will be contributing to eradicating the menace of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, as it has, on several occasions, made seizures of such illicit substances often concealed in bags of rice and other legitimate products.

CG Adewale, who appreciated the National Coordinator for leading his team to visit the Service's Headquarters to knot ties with him, also emphasized the need to venture more into intelligence and data sharing.

“We will be looking forward to having a deeper collaboration with the centre in terms of your database. First, I wish to inform you that I am happy that your Agency is doing well," he said.

Recalling that the Service in the second week of August 2023, succeeded in intercepting over 1,000 live ammunition concealed in 203 bags of foreign rice in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, the Customs Boss gave assurance that the Nigeria Customs Service will do everything possible to synergize with the Agency through the secondment of more Customs Officers to work with the Center.

“In terms of intelligence, I believe that you're ready for it. We also do have a formidable intelligence unit, and most of the seizures that have been credited to Customs are done through gathering credible intelligence.” He added.

Addressing the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, the Coordinator of National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Maj. Gen. Abba Muhammad Dikko (rtd.), on his part congratulated him on his appointment and described the Service as a substantial pillar in pursuing illicit arms in society.

He commended the efforts made by the Nigeria Customs Service in the area of intercepting illicit flow of arms through the Nigerian borders and further emphasized that it helps in securing the Country and the citizens.

“We all know that Nigeria is suffering from a myriad of insecurity-related issues of different sorts, and the key catalyst that has continued to fuel this insecurity is the availability of small arms, and without the help of Customs, we will not have a lovely and safer environment.” He said.

The National Coordinator, however, applauded the Service's unflinching support in gracing his Agency's programmes.

According to him, the synergy, if sustained, will not only help in protecting the country against the multiplication of small arms and ammunition but also in the area of generating revenue for the Federal Government.

Ag. Comptroller General of Customs Appoints two Acting ACGs, Redeploys Customs Area Controllers

 Ag. Comptroller General of Customs Appoints two Acting ACGs, Redeploys Customs Area Controllers

ZAINAB JUNAID 

In response to the statutory retirement of some management members of Nigeria Customs, the Acting Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has approved key appointments and redeployment within the service to ensure operational efficiency.

This was contained in a statement signed by ABDULLAHI Maiwada, Chief Superintendent of Customs National Public Relations Officer on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. 

In the statement, Comptrollers Florence Nanu Ogar-Modey and Queen Ogbudu have been appointed Acting Assistant Comptroller Generals Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and Zonal Coordinator Zone B, respectively. 

Some of the Comptrollers redeployed to various Customs formations include Compt. Jaiyeoba Jide from Oyo/Osun Area Command to Apapa Area Command, Compt. Dera Nnadi from Seme to Tin-Can Island Port, Compt. Timi Bomodi from KLT  to Seme, Compt. Ahmed Abe from PCA Zone ‘C’ to Kaduna Area Command and Compt. Babandede Mohammad from Lilypond Export Command to Lagos Free Trade Zone Command.

Others are Compt. Dauda Ibrahim Chana from Investigation Headquarters to Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Compt. Martina Tilleygyado from Non-Intrusive Inspection to KLT Area Command, Compt. Oloyode Adekunle from Tin-Can Island Port to Import &/Export Headquarters while Compt. Zanna Chiroma will be leaving Import & Export for PCA Zone ‘C, among many others.

The Acting Comptroller-General congratulated the newly appointed/redeployed officers and charged them to put more effort into achieving the service’s core mandates of Revenue Generation, Suppression of Smuggling, and Trade Facilitation.

Customs FOU, Zone A records ₦813m Seizures in August

.... Arrests 12 Suspects 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

As part of its commitment towards safeguarding the nation’s economy from recalcitrant saboteurs, officers of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service have seized goods worth Eight Hundred and thirteen million, fifty eight thousand, three hundred and forty five naira 

(N813,058,345) Duty Paid Value in the month of August 2023. 

Ag. Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, disclosed this on Tuesday September 5th, 2023 while briefing Journalists saying the Command seized 394 cartons of prohibited codeine syrup, 345kg of cannabis and have arrested 12 suspects in connection with the seizures.

Ejibunu noted that the revenue recovered into government coffer through documentary checks and issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid was Eighty one million, four hundred and forty nine thousand, three hundred and seventy three naira, thirty eight kobo(N81,449,373.38) for the month under review. 

The notable seizures made in August 2023, according to him include: 6,911 x 50kg bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice over 11 truck-loads;486 cartons of frozen poultry products;368 pieces of used tyres ; 13 used vehicles ;32 cartons of expired batteries and 1 X 40 ft container FTC one used Toyota Corolla, 49 pieces of car rims,552 pieces of car used tyres, 205 pieces of used truck tyres and 32 pieces of motorcycle tyres.

Other seizures include 292 bales of Used Clothes and 13,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit. 

"You may recall that foreign tomato paste, used clothing, foreign parboiled rice, importation of vehicles through the land borders, used tyres, arms and ammunition without end-user certificates among others, are items that fall under the import prohibition list; their importation threatens our fragile economy. 

"91 seizures were recorded within the month of August with 12 suspects in connection with some of the seizures. Worthy of note is the fact that apart from the cartons of codeine syrup we showcased during the last press briefing, additional cartons of the product were again intercepted making a total of 394 cartons seized within the period under review, " he said. 

The Ag. Controller further stressed that the Command will continue to remain resolute in enforcing the Customs extant laws on dubious importers and traders. 

His words," On our part, we shall continue to partner with well-meaning citizens by soliciting for timely and useful information to curb smuggling. While we advise members of the public to be guided by the Import and Export Prohibition Lists for compliance.

" It is sad to note that some Nigerians would pay all duties and levies payable to the Customs authorities of other countries they import from, while they make conscious efforts to evade such payments into the federal government coffers. On revenue recovery, the sum of N81,449,373.38 was made through documentary checks and issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid.

"I am using this medium to thank all patriotic Nigerians that provided useful information that led to some arrests, and also the compliant traders and importers for complying with the extant laws. While the recalcitrant ones are advised to stop because it is a crime.

"We are also expressing our gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for the additional logistics supply of two (2) trucks for the evacuation of seizures and a towing truck. The provision of these additional logistics has eased our operations," he concluded. 

Oyetola Tours PCHS Terminal

Solicits Stakeholders' Support to actualize Vision 

ZAINAB JUNAID

The newly-appointed Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has solicited support of critical stakeholders in the industry in order to achieve his goal as the minister of the new ministry. 

Oyetola made this plea while on an inspection tour to Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, operator of Terminal C, Tin Can Island and subsidiary of SIFAX Group on Monday, September 4th 2023. 

Upon arrival at the terminal, he was received by management of the terminal led by Capt. Ibraheem Olugbade, Executive Director, Administration and was taken on a facility tour at the terminal. 

Having realized the dilapidated state of some infrastructures at the port, the minister said infrastructure renewal of ports across the country is urgently needed to save ports from imminent collapse. 

Oyetola who is also a former Governor of Osun State also assured that the Federal Government will provide enabling environment to secure maritime investments. 

To him, “I am excited at what I have seen here today. As an indigenous terminal of repute, I take particular interest in the success of this terminal and its operations. We are working with relevant agencies to see that various issues hampering successful operations are resolved so the terminal operator can contribute more to the industry's success.”

While welcoming the Minister to the Terminal, Capt. Ibraheem Olugbade, said the Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited is one of the indigenous terminal operators in the country. 

Olugbade hinted that the terminal is waiting for the Federal Government to resolve logjam around the concession renewal as this will attract more investments to the terminal which will hitherto boost the economy. 

ACG Bello Jibo Assumes Duty as Zone A' Zonal Coordinator

...Charges Officers on Professionalism

ZAINAB JUNAID

In a bid to reposition Zone A Headquaters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for effective service delivery in line with the policy thrust laid down by the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, Badhir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs Bello Mohammed Jibo has assumed duty as Zonal Coordinator of Zone 'A' Headquarters.

This follows the recent reshufflement of the Service Management by the Ag. CGC of the service.

A statement signed by Akaninyene Edeminam, Superintendent of Customs, Zonal Public Relations Officer Zone ‘A’ on Monday, 4 September 2023 said that ACG Bello Muhammed Jibo hails from Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State. He had his early education at the Federal Government College Ijanikin, Lagos. He then proceeded to the University of Sokoto, now Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, where he bagged a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

He bagged professional course certificate both locally and internationally, which include but not limited to United States Patent Trade Mark on Global International Property Enforcement, Certificate Course on General Scanner Operations, Image Analysis, Modern Customs Management, NICIS I, System Operator Course (scanner), World Customs Organization (WCO) Leadership and Management Development Workshop etc. 

ACG Jibo has served in various Commands in different capacities and became a Comptroller of Customs in 2018. He served as Customs Area Controller Seme Command, where he deployed his wealth of experience in repositioning the Command. 

He was appointed as Ag. ACG in 2023 and was deployed as ACG Headquarters until his recent posting to Zone ‘A’ Headquarters as the Zonal Coordinator.

On resumption of office, the ACG charged officers to remain very dedicated and committed to the vision and mission of the new Customs Management in Revenue Generation, Anti-Smuggling activities and Trade Facilitation, among others. He cautioned that he would have zero tolerance for any damaging act to the success of the new Customs Administration while encouraging officers to take the issues of discipline and Code of Conduct seriously, as anything contrary will be viewed with utmost seriousness.