Tag: Customs

DSS, customs intercept container load of guns headed for South-East

The Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has intercepted a container load of guns headed for the South-east in Lagos.

The container was intercepted at Ports & Terminal Multi-Services Ltd (PTML) and Tin-Can Island Ports.

According to the acting comptroller-general of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, the container was heading for the south-east region of the country.

Adeniy noted that the discovery were made during a joint inspection exercise between Customs, Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security (DSS), and the National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration (NDLEA).

“Since assuming the role of Acting Comptroller General, our dedicated officers and men have demonstrated unwavering commitment to their responsibilities. Their diligence and perseverance have been the cornerstone of our operations,” Adeniyi said.

“Our actions within the NCS have been driven by a deep sense of purpose and guided by the mantra of renewed hope, which underpins the current administration’s vision. We recognize the significance of our role in contributing to the overall objectives of the President Tinubu led Administration, as articulated in the Road Map of the Policy Advisory Council document,” he said.

He revealed that the declaration of a state of emergency in revenue generation and national security has further aligned NCS activities with the government’s overarching goals.

“Pursuant to this commitment, I stand before you today to highlight the recent achievements of the NCS in our ongoing efforts to suppress smuggling and safeguard national security. Some of our dedicated and diligent officers uncovered some smuggled arms and ammunition while on duty at various Commands and formations.

“On July 5, 2023, during a joint operation with the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security, the National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration, and the Customs Intelligence Unit at the Ports Terminal and Multi Services Limited (PTML) Command, a thorough physical examination of a 40ft container was conducted.

“The examination revealed the concealment of 10 dangerous arms and various rounds of live ammunition inside plastic drums. The details are: three new Pump Action rifles and one new unit of an armed rifle; six new different makes of pistols; one new millennium G2 pistol; one new sarsilmaz SAR-9X pistol; one new Lugger Security-9 pistol; one new Taurus Banbridge G3C pistol; one new SCCY CPX-2 pistol, one new Taurus (63 pistol); 14 empty magazinesd; and 442 rounds of live ammunition.

“The clearing agent, Mr Shokunbi Olanrewaju of Shooler Global International Ltd and Mr Joseph Nwadiodor, who was expected to take delivery of the container, are currently detained as suspects in connection with the seizure.

“Similarly, within the same period, the Tin-Can Island Port Command of the Service, while acting on credible intelligence; subjected a 1by40ft container to 100 per cent physical examination with the relevant security agencies at the ports.”

July 17, 2023
Exchange rate: Vehicles trapped in ports, importation dropped – Customs Agents lament

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has said floating of the nation’s currency had caused a drop in vehicle importation in the nation’s ports.

The agents also said that vehicles imported into the country were trapped at the ports due to the rise in exchange rate which skyrocketed vehicle duties.

They disclosed these in separate interviews in Lagos State on Saturday.

Alhaji Rilwan Amuni, Taskforce Chairman of ANLCA, told NAN that the floating of the naira was inevitable because government wanted a uniform rate.

Amuni, however, urged the government to look into other levies paid at the ports.

According to him, the challenges faced by customs agents at the ports were enormous because of the high dollar rate which hiked duties on vehicles to over 50 per cent.

“The job we used to do after the advent of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in which we charged N1.4 million, is now like N2.2 million and this has resulted in vehicles being trapped in the ports.

“Also, there has been a drop in importation because things are really biting hard,” he said.

Amuni added that the development had affected goods already imported, noting that they had no choice but to clear at the current rate.

He also urged government to look into the levy placed on used goods, adding that they are proposing for a dialogue with the Federal Government on ways to jettison this levy so that there would be a relief.

“Some people are confusing the tax that was suspended recently with the issue of levy. It is not levy that they removed, it’s the Import Adjustment Tax that was supposed to have started.

“We are appealing to government to remove the levy because what does a poor man derive when he buys a Corolla 2004 and pays duty and fine again? The only goods that are supposed to have levy are luxury goods .

“Maybe you are a big man and you want to ride a yatch, helicopter, that is what they are supposed to levy not on used goods,” he said.

Contributing, Mr Michael Imonitie, the Secretary, ANLCA TinCan chapter, said goods were not being cleared at the port due to the challenge.

Imonitie disclosed that out of 100 importers only 20 were taking their goods out of the ports.

According to him, this means that most goods will be incurring demurrage and overtime or even abandoned.

“We all know that there is going to be a negative effect on clearance of vehicles at the port .

“Since government announced uniform exchange rate, the exchange rate has risen from N422.3 to N589.55 and now N770.88 which is pure black market rate . The exchange rate of CBN is N756/N757, government was supposed to have given us a notice of either 60 or 90 days before implementation.

“This is because a lot of importers have opened their Form M at the old exchange rate. I have not seen any importer that have done any new importation. Most of the goods in the port are old stock.

“This means that the end cost of goods will be high. If I am being forced to pay the exchange rate twice of what I have paid before it means that the end users will be the ones to suffer it,” he said.

He said that the burden was on importers and being felt by the clearing agents, the custom brokers, due to the jobs they do, and most of their clients do not have the difference to pay for the exchange rate.

“Some goods have been lying down in the port, some agents are going extra mile to borrow money from individuals because banks have not opened the window for soft loan.

“The hardship is almost 85 per cent of what government has imposed on us .

“The importers are sourcing the money for clearing agents because they are the ones that pay the bill, they pay terminal operators, shipping lines, we only take our commission.

“Now, the importers are complaining and we want them to channel their complaints through the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Commerce of Nigeria because their voices need to be heard,” he said.

July 16, 2023
Acting Customs CG reveals outcome of meeting with Tinubu

The Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, says the Service will focus on decongesting the nation’s ports.

At a briefing at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, he said this would make the ports more user friendly and improve an export led economic development strategy.

After a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Adeniyi said officers and men of the service would carry out their duties in line with the objectives of the Customs Service and the Policy Advisory Document on the Customs (PAC).

“We had discussions regarding what Customs can bring to the table to actualise the vision of renewed hope for Nigeria, what customers can do in terms of addressing gaps in revenue generation in the customs, our enforcement strategies and most importantly, the issue of promoting port efficiency and competitiveness of our ports.

“In terms of specifics, I am sure that we are all very, very familiar with the Presidential Advisory Council. And there is a document which has been made public. Our discussions centers around aligning the vision of customs, the activities of custom in the short, medium and long terms with those noble objectives set out in the PAC documents.

“So,we’re talking about making our ports user friendly.

“We’re talking about decongesting the ports, we talked about 48 hours clearance of goods around the ports, export led inward looking economic development strategies. So these are some of the issues that we discussed.

“And I pledged commitment of the customs to bring out reforms and to collaborate with other agencies of government to achieve some of those objectives stated in the PAC documents,” he said.

Adeniyi said the recent election of Tinubu as ECOWAS Chairman, means more work for the Nigeria Customs and strong collaboration among countries in the region.

“For us in the Nigerian Customs Service, ECOWAS represents a very bold attempt to forge regional integration, cooperation in border security and monetary affairs.

“And it is so good to note that my assumption of office coincide with that period when attention will be focused on Nigeria holding the flag of regional integration.

“I can also tell you that part of my discussions with Mr President is to actively engage customs administration’s across our borders, particularly the strategic ones that we must work and collaborate with for us to achieve common objectives of border security and regional integration.

“In the next one week, or thereabout, I will be paying an official visit to Republic of Benin, to have discussions with the Customs Administration of Benin, and see how we can take forward the issue of collaborations between us, the issue of border security, the issue of importation across the border, and more importantly, how we can deploy technological solutions to very complex border problems,” he said.

July 12, 2023
Acting Customs C-G vows to remove barriers impeding trade processes

Acting Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi has assured of his commitment to bringing an end to encumbrances experienced during trade.

Adeniyi gave the assurance when former Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, handed over to him on Monday in Abuja.

He said he would work towards simplifying trade processes, adding that encumbrances had impeded effective service delivery in the past.

According to him, Customs under his administration will build on the legacies of his predecessor, who piloted affairs of the service for almost eight years.

“We will build on the solid foundation you have laid for us and consolidate the things we are meeting on ground.

“We are going to engage very critically with our stakeholders and use innovative technologies to drive everything,” he said.

The acting comptroller-general said he would discharge his duties with utmost professionalism, fairness, transparency and integrity.

“This is the beginning of a new era in the Nigeria Customs Service.

“This call to duty signifies a great responsibility to serve our nation as a trade facilitator and enforcer of government policies.

“It demands professionalism, integrity and highest ethical standards,” he said.

The customs boss said the service had over the last seven years embarked on a transformation journey focused on reform, restructuring and revenue generation.

He said he would prioritise efficiency in service delivery, adding that it was the bedrock of trade facilitation and revenue generation.

He further said he would ensure career advancement, staff welfare, technological advancement, and collaboration with other government agencies and relevant stakeholders.

“We will promote dialogue for more efficiency, effectiveness and ensure transparency, fairness, equity, integrity as well as consolidation of the modernisation process.

On challenges, Adeniyi said “we face emerging trend like criminal networks that requires our utmost attention.

“We must adapt to this changing landscape by collaborating with international partners, law enforcement agencies and customs administrations of other nations.”

The acting comptroller of customs said he would work towards implementing the new Customs Act.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his appointment, adding that he would be committed to the success of the service and the nation at large.

Adeniyi said he would be fair to all, show respect to all and ensure that he left Customs better than he met it.

On policies of his predecessor, Adeniyi said Ali’s effort at revamping the service was well appreciated, saying “you discharged your duties to the best of your ability.

“Some of us think you are too hard. However, we cannot take away the fact that you are a firm leader,” he said.

The acting comptroller said one of the major lessons he learnt from Ali was, “as a leader you need to be firm.”

He said the service made progress in terms of processes, training and retraining among other things during Ali’s tenure.

In his remarks, the former Customs comptroller-general said it was important for Customs officers to uphold professionalism and integrity.

He said that “Customs is one of the most critical, professional and technical service in the world.

“We have been able to build the service to be respected.

“There were obstacles no doubt, but we did our best within our capacity to reposition it.

“If there is any legacy I want to leave behind it is honour and integrity and we must put God first in whatever we do.”

He further said, “Our policeman as humans is our conscience and it will tell you if the decision you want to take is right or wrong”.

He said he was happy with the fact that Adeniyi was chosen as his successor, adding that he had the qualities to continue from where he stopped.

The high point of the event was the presentation of gift items to the former comptroller-general.

Adeniyi is the 14th indigenous comptroller-general of customs and 31st since its establishment in 1891.

Read full speech of the new Customs boss below:

EMBRACING A NEW ERA OF EXCELLENCE: ADDRESS BY ACTING COMPTROLLER-GENERAL BASHIR ADEWALE ADENIYI psc (+), MFR ON HIS RESUMPTION AS COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE

1. Today, we gather here to mark the beginning of a new era in the Nigeria Customs Service. I stand before you as the newly appointed Comptroller General, humbled and honoured by the trust placed in me by our esteemed President, His excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. This call to duty signifies a great responsibility, a responsibility to serve our nation as trade facilitators and enforcers of government policy. It is a delicate balancing act that demands professionalism, integrity, and the highest ethical standards.

2. Over the past eight years, the Nigeria Customs Service has embarked on a journey of transformation, focused on reforms, restructuring, and revenue generation. We have witnessed critical adjustments to meet the evolving needs and strategic objectives of our Service. As beneficiaries and ambassadors of these reforms, many of us have played pivotal roles in training, retraining, and mentoring the future generation of Customs officers.

3. Today, we stand at the precipice of an exciting future, one that builds upon the achievements of the past and takes us even further. Our administration is committed to adopting a bottom-up approach, where the needs of our dear nation take precedence over everything else. We will prioritize efficiency in service delivery as the bedrock of trade facilitation and revenue generation. No longer shall encumbrances impede trade; we shall dismantle obstacles and foster a new culture of consultations and compliance.

4. In order to achieve our objectives, it is imperative that we bridge the current human resource gap within our ranks. We recognize the importance of capacity building and career advancement for our officers. The administration will work diligently to implement career advancement opportunities approved by the board, ensuring that competence remains the sole criterion for assigning responsibilities and measuring effectiveness. Our focus is on cultivating a highly skilled workforce that is equipped to face the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

5. Staff welfare is of paramount importance to us. We acknowledge the harsh and hostile environment in which our officers and men are compelled to function. Therefore, we commit ourselves to prioritize the welfare and well-being of our personnel. By providing better remunerations, improved accommodation, life insurance, and quality healthcare, we aim to create an environment that supports and motivates our workforce. We understand that a well-motivated team is instrumental in achieving our aims and objectives.

6. As we embark on this new journey, we recognize the need for collaboration and partnerships. We value the relationships we have built with our Partner Government Agencies and the private sector. These collaborations have been vital to our adoption of technology as a tool to enhance revenue generation and streamline processes. We will strengthen these partnerships and engage with stakeholders through revitalized platforms. By promoting dialogue, we can resolve disputes and advance mutually beneficial solutions that lead to more efficient and effective service. The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to treat its esteemed stakeholders as partners who have a stake in our success.

7. Furthermore, this administration is firmly committed to fairness. We shall treat all stakeholders, traders, and officers alike with impartiality and respect. Our decisions and actions will be guided by principles of transparency and discipline. We understand that our conduct shapes the public’s perception of the Service, and we will strive to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical behaviour. Indiscipline will not be tolerated as we prioritize fairness and equity.

8. My predecessor had taken significant steps towards Customs Modernization, and it is our duty to build on those gains. Staff welfare and capacity building have been revolutionized under the previous administration, with the provision of decent packages and the introduction of staff courses. This administration will build upon those gains to ensure the continuous growth and development of our workforce. All these efforts will be channelled towards ensuring that the real potentials of the Service are achieved.

9. It is crucial for us to recognize the modern realities and challenges to Customs operations. In today’s interconnected and technologically advanced world, we face emerging threats that require our utmost attention. E-commerce, global supply chains, and transnational criminal networks pose challenges to our role as custodians of trade facilitation and enforcement. We must adapt to these changing landscapes, leveraging technology, intelligence-led operations, and effective risk management strategies. Collaboration with international partners, law enforcement agencies, and customs administrations of other nations will be vital in combating illicit trade and securing our national interests.

10. Before I conclude, I want to acknowledge a significant milestone in our journey towards Customs modernization. Recently, the Nigeria Customs Service witnessed a remarkable achievement with the signing of the new Customs Act. This act marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to enhance trade facilitation, streamline procedures, and strengthen enforcement measures.

11. The new Customs Act provides us with a robust legal framework that aligns with international best practices, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and compliance in our operations. It empowers us to effectively tackle emerging challenges, adapt to evolving trade dynamics, and safeguard our national interests. Under this act, we have the opportunity to introduce innovative measures that will further enhance our customs processes, such as the implementation of advanced risk management systems, the integration of cutting-edge technologies, and the simplification of trade procedures. These advancements will not only boost our revenue generation capabilities but also promote a conducive business environment that attracts investments and spurs economic growth.

12. I assure you that we are fully committed to the successful implementation of the new Customs Act. We will work diligently to familiarize our officers and stakeholders with its provisions, ensuring its effective application across all our operations. Through comprehensive training programs and continuous engagement, we will create awareness and understanding of the act’s importance in achieving our shared goals.

13. As we embrace this new era under the Customs Act, we must remember that its success relies on our collective efforts. I call upon all officers, personnel, stakeholders, and the public to embrace the spirit of compliance, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Together, we can unlock the full potential of our customs service and contribute to the prosperity of our beloved nation.

14. I express my profound gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for the opportunity bestowed upon me to serve our great nation. I assure the President and his government of our unwavering commitment to the success of this administration. Together, with the dedicated men and women of the Nigeria Customs Service, we will pursue excellence and strive to surpass the expectations placed upon us.

15. Let us forge ahead with determination, knowing that we have the tools, the vision, and the unwavering spirit to excel in our duties. May God bless the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you, and may God bless the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

June 27, 2023
Shettima decorates new Ag Customs CG, Adeniyi

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday decorated the newly appointed acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Olusola Abiola, Director Information, Office of the Vice President, in a statement in Abuja, said the ceremony was witnessed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa.

The vice president described the appointment of Adeniyi by President Bola Tinubu as morale booster for officers in the service.

“Congratulations for bringing professionalism back to the Nigerian Customs Service.

” Now, every Customs officer can aspire to occupy the pinnacle of his or her profession.

“I wish you well, on behalf of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Congratulations, once again,” Shettima said.

Speaking with State House correspondents shortly after the decoration Adeniyi expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing a serving officer as the head of the agency.

He assured the president and Nigerians of a more effective and innovation driven NCS.

“In the last eight years, the NCS has gone through a period of transition; in some areas, we recorded progress – we made remarkable progress in e-Customs.

“We made a lot of breakthroughs in capacity building; but the NCS can still live to its full potentials when we bring in more innovation to drive Customs operations.

“These are the kind of things we are looking at in the years ahead; we are going to be professional in our approach; there are a number of key stakeholders that we are going to be working with.

“It is a very onerous task but we are going to be working alongside other stakeholders and partners that we have identified.

“We intend to come up with innovations that will carry along all partners and stakeholders,” he said.

Adeniyi added that the service would leverage technology and innovation to break new grounds in its operations.

June 26, 2023
Ban on vehicle importation still in force – Nigeria Customs

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has debunked some media reports that the Federal Government has lifted the ban on vehicle importation through the Seme border.

Mr. Hussaini Abdullahi, Customs Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Seme Area Command, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Seme, Lagos State.

Abdullahi explained that the service had not made such a pronouncement at all, though a proposal was written by some freight forwarders to the Federal Government following advice from Prince Ademola Adegoroye, the then Minister of States for Transportation.

He said that the former minister had visited the border to inaugurate some projects sometime in February when the freight forwarders put up a complaint to him about how the ban had affected them.

He added that the minister had advised the freight forwarders and members of the border community then to put their requests in writing.

The Customs spokesman said that a recent visit by the Director of Road Transport in the Ministry of Transportation, Ibrahim Musa, only confirmed that the letter by the freight forwarders had been received and acted upon by the ministry by forwarding it to higher authority.

Seme border was among the four land borders reopened by Federal Government on Dec.16, 2020 by the then Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed.

Before reopening the four land borders, the Federal Government had on Aug. 21, 2019, ordered the closure of Nigerian borders to curb smuggling of goods and weapons.

June 24, 2023
FG approves re-opening of Seme border for vehicle importation

The Director of Road Transport in the Ministry of Transportation, Ibrahim Musa, has said the Federal Government of Nigeria approved the re-opening of the Seme land border for the importation of vehicles.

Musa, who spoke at the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, meeting on Wednesday, organised between officials of Nigeria and Benin Republic, revealed that the development followed complaints by freight forwarders operating at the Seme border.

“I was here with the former Minister of State for Transportation when the freight forwarders pleaded that the border should be reactivated for the free movement of goods and services.

“The former minister made us prepare a memo to that effect. It was considered and sent to the government.”

Similarly, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Border Command, Dera Nnadi, who also spoke at the event, lamented that the service has noticed a reduction in its revenue since the importation of vehicles through the land borders was suspended by the immediate past administration.

Nnadi said: “The former Minister of Transportation, responding to some of our requests and from the stakeholders, promised to take them to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, one of them is how to fully open this border.

“The Ministry has informed us that the memo has been written to FEC and it was adopted and that it would be given to the new government, he assured us that all the requests were adopted.”

June 22, 2023
Customs begins destruction of seized items worth N12.8bn in Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun the destruction of seized 96 containers of illicit, prohibited and expired pharmaceutical products.

The destruction which is taking place at the Epe dump site, Lagos is supervised by ACG Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Adonye Dappa-Williams

The products include Tramadol tablets, Codeine cough syrup, Diclofenac tablets and injections, Pramo sex, Yagra tablets, Black cobra tablets, and Sildenafil citrate tablets.

Others are Chakapain extra tablets, Mebendazole tablets, Royal chest lung tablets, Dr. Ibramol tablets, Omeprazole capsule, Cotrimaxazole tablets, Diavita loperaminde capsules, Diarrhea stop and Chlorphanamene malfate capsules.

The ACG noted that the items have all been condemned by courts of competent jurisdiction and also emphasized the harmful effects of the illicit items on society.

He said, “The aforementioned items have all been condemned by courts of competent jurisdiction with a duty paid value of Twelve Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety-five Million, Five Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty-Eight Naira (N12, 895, 571, 288.00).

“As you all know, the harmful effects of these illicit items on our society cannot be overemphasized as it has destroyed countless lives of our youths, families and led to an upsurge in crime in our society.

“Through this destruction, we are discouraging the importation and consumption of these items’’.

He appreciated sister Agencies for their continuous collaboration and extended gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) CFR for his purposeful leadership.

“Let me also use this opportunity to thank our sister Agencies for their continuous collaboration and synergy in achieving this giant stride.

“Finally, our gratitude goes to the Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) CFR whose purposeful leadership enabled us to achieve these feats,” he concluded.

June 16, 2023
Customs service speaks on reopening of Nigerian borders

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has advised Nigerians not to believe the news making the rounds that borders in the country have been opened.

NCS added that Nigerians should also disregard the purported viral video showing the reopening of the border.

The Service, through the National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, described the video as malicious to mislead Nigerians.

ALSO READ || FG approves re-opening of Seme border for vehicle importation

Maiwada who debunked the rumour during a live show on the populous Human Rights Radio Brekete Family in Abuja on Tuesday morning, while urging Nigerians to always embrace authentic news emanating from the right channels.

“For over a year, Idiroko and other selected approved borders are opened for legitimate trade. It is only the borders in the northeastern part of the country that are closed due to security issues. But major land borders in the South-West, North-West, and Ikang Border in the South South are all opened for legitimate trade,” he said.

Speaking further, the PRO said that the activities of the Service are critical to national development considering its pivotal roles in the area of revenue generation, suppressing smuggling and trade facilitation.

He stated that the Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) CFR, has recorded various accomplishments over the years in the area of revenue generation, restructuring and reforms.

“In the last couple of years, there were a lot of significant events that brought about a paradigm shift in the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service. First of all, we used to have a sixty-three-year-old law that was not in line with the reality of 21st Century Customs.

“Today we have a brand new law called Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. A legal framework that will enhance our performance,” he stated.

He added that many things have changed even within Customs, adding that Nigeria Customs Service recruitment has changed with transparent processes based on federal character principles.

In the area of technology, CSC Maiwada said that the Service has succeeded in embracing a modern system in its processes and procedures, having realized the importance of automation – which according to him, has resulted in creating a new program called Fast-Track 2.0 for compliant traders, non-intrusive inspection among many other initiatives.

June 7, 2023
My administration’s policies were deliberate – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the policies taken by his administration were deliberately made for the development of the country.

He stated this on Tuesday at the inauguration of a new Customs Headquarters, built at the cost of N19.6 billion, in Abuja.

Buhari said that such policies became legacy programmes because they later became the delight of the people and the country.

He said the ban on importation of foreign rice for instance, was one of such policies.

“I deliberately closed the borders. I said it is either you eat what you grow or you grow what you eat and later Nigerians appreciated it,” he said.

On corruption, Buhari said he had nothing to hide, adding that, “those who are following Nigerian leaders to condemn them for misappropriation and misbehaviour will have a problem with me.”

On relationship with neighbouring African countries, the president said there was a need to maintain cordial relationship with them.

“When I became the President, my first visit was to Niger, Chad and Cameroon because if you do not secure their confidence, you will be in trouble.’’

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the new customs headquarters was a symbol of the present government’s commitment to effective service delivery.

She said the board under her leadership, prioritised customs’ staff welfare.

She said the board ensured “regular promotion for customs personnel, training opportunities”, among others.

She thanked the president for signing the Nigeria Customs Act 2022, saying it would go a long way in enabling the service meet up with international best practices.

Ahmed thanked the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other stakeholders for their continued support, adding that it had enhanced the service’s mandate of trade facilitation and revenue generation.

Earlier, Comptroller of Custom retired Col. Hammed Ali said he ensured the building was completed to create conducive environment for personnel to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

“When I assumed office in 2015, I was resolute on implementing the three “Rs”; Reform, Restructure and Raise Revenue profile of the Service.

“In view of this, I was not in doubt that a conducive environment is important and that is why I ensured the completion of the new corporate headquarters.”

Ali said the building was technologically friendly with necessary facilities to monitor activities at the different borders and commands across the country.

Ali said the building, which sits on approximately 25,000 square meters, was designed and constructed by indigenous firms.

He said although there were challenges of variations in the course of the project, the service was proud to erect one of the most cost effective edifices in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

Newsmen reports that the Customs corporate headquarters, referred to as “Customs House”, is located in Maitama areas in Abuja.

The building has a 12-floor tower with five floors on both wings of the tower and “bridges” linking the two wings.

The project was conceived in 2002 to provide a comfortable and conducive working environment for staff and authorised visitors to the building.

May 23, 2023