The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has made a resolute commitment to tackling the challenges plaguing clearance processes at ports across the country.
Adeniyi’s pledge was conveyed by the National Public Relations Officer of NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, following an interactive session with maritime and excise stakeholders over the weekend. This engagement was a key component of the recently concluded CGC’s Conference, 2023.
Addressing concerns such as multiple alerts, frequent downtime of CPC, numerous checkpoints, and difficulties in accessing ports, Adeniyi emphasized the need for time-bound solutions to these longstanding issues.
“In open discussions, the critical challenges confronting cargo clearance have been acknowledged. The next phase involves collaborating with key stakeholders to establish a framework for overcoming these obstacles,” remarked the CGC.
Adeniyi further emphasized the commitment to formulating and implementing new policies aligned with the decisions made during the conference. These strategies will be executed within a specified timeline, ensuring that the desired objectives are achieved expeditiously.
In a proactive move, a panel comprising representatives of stakeholders and the Nigeria Customs Service has been established to address the impediments hampering efficient port operations. The aim is to compile comprehensive recommendations, which are slated for implementation by the first quarter of 2024.
A chorus of approval emanated from stakeholders, commending the CGC for revitalizing the Services’ Annual Conference and expressing their readiness to collaborate closely with Customs.
Tochukwu Ezeisi, the President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), expressed satisfaction, stating, “For the first time in years, freight forwarders are pleased because our concerns are being actively discussed and decisions are promptly taken.”
Echoing this sentiment, Alhaji Kazeem Isa Adua, the Deputy President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), praised the CGC’s initiative in convening the conference, foreseeing a forthcoming era of smoother and streamlined clearance processes.
The Customs’ unwavering commitment to addressing long-standing challenges within the maritime sector and the positive reception from stakeholders indicate a promising shift towards a more efficient and effective clearance process at Nigerian ports.
