The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged to establish a platform to address issues at the country’s ports, aiming to foster collaboration with stakeholders, terminal operators, and port authorities to enhance economic development.
The acting comptroller-general of customs, Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the pivotal role played by customs agents and importers in the port administration and underscored the significance of creating a regular engagement platform to resolve challenges.
Mr. Adeniyi stated, “Customs agents, importers play a very important role in the administration of the port and this is why we believe that we must regularly, periodically create a platform for engagement on issues.
This is going to be the feature of our relationship with not just the customs agents but all stakeholders; we believe in partnership and we believe that we can use innovation to drive the kind of change that we want to see.”
During a visit to the Lilypond export command in Lagos, Mr. Adeniyi commended the concept of establishing export processing terminals, which he viewed as instrumental in decongesting the ports while boosting local production and earning foreign exchange.
He also called on exporters and other government agencies to collaborate with customs to streamline the export process, ensuring optimal returns on their business investments.
In a breakfast meeting with representatives of shipping companies and terminal operators, Mr. Adeniyi stressed the importance of open discussions to address mutual concerns effectively.
“I believe in the power of consultation and collaboration with our stakeholders. Each time we need to discuss any issue, I will expect one or two members to flag it, and we will be willing to set up this kind of meeting,” he stated.
