Apapa Customs Command: Comptroller Olomu Celebrates CGC One Year In Service, Records N17.9B As Daily Collection

Apapa Customs Command: Comptroller Olomu Celebrates CGC One Year In Service, Records N17.9B As Daily Collection

By: Bisi Akingbade

The Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu has said that the unprecedented revenue collection is a way of celebrating one year in office of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, whose inspiring and motivating leadership role has contributed greatly in what the command recorded thus far. 

Comptroller Olomu described the feat as the beginning of many revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti smuggling exploits to be achieved by the command in discharging its assigned statutory duties. 

Olomu, who assumed office as Area Controller of the nation's premier port command a month ago , said the officers and men of the command under his watch are ready to sustain and surpass the tempo and up the ante.

He urged port users to always abide by the tenets and etiquette of lawful operations such as obeying the extant import and export guidelines, prompt and accurate payment of duty and promotion of regular engagement in the national interest.

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OMMAN CELEBRATES CGC ADENIYI FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE

OMMAN CELEBRATES CGC ADENIYI FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE

 

By: Bisi Akingbade

The Online Maritime Media Association of Nigeria, OMMAN, has felicitated  with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi OFR, on his successful first year as the helmsman of the Service. 

According to the press release issued by the President, OMMAN, Dele Aderibigbe, described CGC Adeniyi's tenure as" Your Unmatched Knowledge of Customs Systems, Operations and Global Best Practices as well as your Dynamic Administrative Style has Better Positioned the Nigeria Customs Service". 

"OMMAN is grateful for the professionalism and camaraderie you extend to us. 

"We wish you Fair Winds and Following Seas."  He said.

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NCCSC Graduation of Senior Course 10: CGC Adeniyi Commits To Prioritising Staff Welfare

NCCSC Graduation of Senior Course 10: CGC Adeniyi Commits To Prioritising Staff Welfare

By: Bisi Akingbade

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, , charged officers who partook in rigorous training of Senior Course 10 to continue to consider themselves as 'good' ambassadors of the Service, while also embracing the significance of continuous learning to add value to the Service.

Addressing the graduants at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja, CGC Adeniyi implored them to be more committed and be good ambassadors of the College.

His words “It is a great honour and privilege to be back in this prestigious institution and to be part of this graduation ceremony of Senior Course 10 today. It is without a doubt that you have spent six months having rigorous training that will equip you to add value to the Service. I congratulate you for your commitment, which has led us to today’s occasion.

He tasked them to put to work all they have learned during their training at the college as the country awaits their positive contributions in maximising the security at the borders, suppressing smuggling and generating revenue.

CGC Adeniyi equally used the opportunity to assure the college management and members of his unflinching efforts to enhance the welfare of officers and members directing staff – which, according to him, will improve efficiency in the Service. 

On his part, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Kingsley Egwuh, while delivering his opening remarks, congratulated the graduating students and conferred them with the title of Pass Senior Course (PSC).

ACG Kingsley said, “With permission of the Special Guest of Honour, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, I stand here before you with joy to confer you all with this title, and I want to implore you to practice what you have learned as you go back to your respective Commands.”

On her part, Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies of the College, Comptroller Oluyomi Adebakin, highlighted that the students had been duly trained in various fields in accordance with the curriculum of the Senior Course to enhance officers’ skills and abilities with a high level of moral standards.

“I have no doubts in my mind that considering the quality of training you have received, you all will be good ambassadors of the College and the Service at large – and I wish to implore you to exhibit your competence to your subordinates when you go back to your places of work.” Comptroller Adebakin said.

Similarly, the management of the college had, on Wednesday, 5 June 2024, hosted a regimental dinner night to honour the graduates of Senior Course 10, where the CGC was represented by DCG Beatrice Nwafor, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in-charge of Excise, Free-Trade Zone and Industrial Incentives. 

Addressing the graduates during the regimental dinner night, DCG Nwafor tasked them to consider the opportunity of attending a month's course at the college as a means to improve their performance as Customs officers, "You are now as strong as eagles. You are, therefore, expected to keep soaring higher."

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100% Compliance, NAGAFF Applauds DCG Tariff And Trade, Caroline Niagwan, Pledged Support

100% Compliance, NAGAFF Applauds DCG Tariff And Trade, Caroline Niagwan, Pledged Support

National Coordinator, 100% Compliance, Alhaji (Dr) Tanko, 

By: Bisi Akingbade

The 100% Compliance Team, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF has commended Deputy Comptroller -General, Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan for her commitment  and dedication to trade facilitation.

In a statement endorsed and made public today  by the National Coordinator, 100% Compliance, Alhaji (Dr) Tanko, the Group announced its unflinching support to Mrs Niagwan and as well, Pledged to continue to offer all necessary assistance and cooperation to ensure She succeeds in her assignment, while urging her not to be discouraged.

His words: " We made this public show of support in view of the clandestine moves by some companies justling to takeover Customs job of revenue collection on behalf of the Federal Government. We say no to this clandestine move."

Tanko added that " Rumors have it that they have promised to surpass the yearly revenue target by as much as 300% in the first year and subsequently increase it."

He also commended the DCG Tariff and Trade for for doggedness and prompt response to complaints and her effective conflict resolution steps despite criticism from some  certain fast- faced companies. 

He noted that the present Customs management is well equipped to manage revenue collection, considering the motivation and measures put in place presently and anchored in Tariff and Trade Unit ably led by DCG Niagwan.

Quoting Dr Tanko,"We,on the field can testify to the increased revenue accruing to the federal government since the new management took over.."

"Lest we forget; this road had been travelled before with PIDA.

The sour taste had lingered up till now.

Alhaji Tanko pointed out that the attendant delays, arising out of ignorance of customs procedures and processes caused a lot of disquiet back then,which dampened the morale of the Officers and compromised their professional integrity.

"We therefore reject the idea and wish the DCG well in her efforts at improving the revenue collection task of the Nigerian customs service.." He stated

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Comptroller J E Edelduok Now Incharge of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command

Comptroller J E Edelduok Now Incharge of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area  Command

... "In Customs, revenue is our number one key performance index [KPI], so I implore all of you to please join hands with me to take our revenue to the next level" - Comptroller Edelduok

By: Bisi Akingbade

The new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller JE Edelduok, has taken over as the new Controller in charge of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area command.

According to the press release issued by the Superintendent of Customs/ Public Relations Officer, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command, Tunde Ayagbalo highlighted that Comptroller Edeldguok make this known during the handover ceremony of her predecessor,  Acting ACG Tiley-Gyado, that she will consolidate on the successes of her predecessor and work with the CGCs policy thrust of consolidation, collaboration and innovation.

"In Customs, revenue is our number one key performance index [KPI], so I implore all of you to please join hands with me to take our revenue to the next level. 

"To our stakeholders, I want to say thank you so much and I'm looking forward to having a robust working relationship with you. I will also implore everyone to please feel free to come forward with suggestions on how to take this command to the next level, as I will operate an open-door policy just like my predecessor"

Comptroller JE Edelduok concluded by thanking the Comptroller General of Customs and his Management team for giving her the privilege to handle the affairs of KLTC, promising to serve with unwavering commitment and humility.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Acting ACG Tiley-Gyado described her successor as an Officer capable of leading the Command to greater heights.

 She highlighted the Command's achievements, saying "From January to May 2024, we generated N36.6billion which represents a 55% increase when compared to the same period in 2023, when we had N16billion. Under my watch, the Command has successfully revitalized operations and expanded terminal availability. Kirikiri Lighter Terminal has also transformed from a Simple Export Transit Hub to an Export Processing Terminal (EPT).

Acting ACG Tiley-Gyado extended her gratitude to the Comptroller General Customs and his Management team for giving her the opportunity to serve, while also appreciating stakeholders and sister agencies for their cooperation, synergy and soliciting the support of all for the incoming Customs Area Controller.

 "

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CUSTOMS: FOU ZONE B INTERCEPTED PANGOLIN SCALES WORTH N3.95BN

CUSTOMS:  FOU ZONE B INTERCEPTED PANGOLIN SCALES WORTH N3.95BN

By: Bisi Akingbade

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone B of Nigeria Customs Service today, Wednesday, 5th June 2024 disclosed that it has intercepted a consignment of 445,45kg of Pangolin scales and its derivatives worth N3.95 billion,  in Kebbi state.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, in a press statement stated that "Acting on actionable intelligence the operatives storm a hideout known as (slaughter house) in the suburbs of Zuru Town in Kebbi State on Friday, May 24 2024 at about 1600hrs.  The team discovered and evacuated sacks of pangolin scales which were transported to the HQ of FOU Zone 'B' in Kaduna. 

After careful examination and counting, the pangolin scales  weighed 445.45kg.

"Let me once again explain that the pangolin specie is one of the endangered species that is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flaura (CITES).

"It is instructive that Nigeria is  signatory to the CITES Convention and all forms of trading in this species are clearly illegal.

The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to partner CITES to forestall the identified species from going into extinction.

"The value of this seizure at the International market is Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand Naira (#3,955,596,000.00) only.

He confirmed the arrest of One (1) Suspect in connection with this seizure while the main suspect is currently at large. However, the Unit in collaboration with other sister agencies will not rest on its oars until the main suspect is arrested and brought to book. 

The offence contravene Section 55 (1) paragraph C and I of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023. 

Comptroller Shuaibu noted that the success of this operation lies in robust intelligence sharing between the NCS and Wild life Office and the resilience by  operatives of the Unit to leverage and utilize the coordinates given to them to make this arrest.

We wish to put it on record that the success of the operation is unique in that it was casualty free.

"From empirical evidence, we make bold to say that those involved in the illegal trafficking of endangered species are hiding under it to launder money used in procuring drugs, arms and other illegal merchandise. You can imagine the havoc this may have caused if it had escaped the eagle eyes of our operatives.

He, however call on the general public to continue to cooperate and stand with the NCS on its fight against smuggling in order to salvage the country.

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CGC Adeniyi Says NCS Set to Facilitate More Export Trade Through AfCFTA, AGOA

CGC Adeniyi Says NCS Set to Facilitate More Export Trade Through AfCFTA, AGOA 

   CGC, BASHIR ADENIYI ADEWALE

By: Bisi Akingbade

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has reiterated the service commitment to grow the Nigerian economy through enhanced trade facilitation tools leveraging on platforms and policies like the  African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA) and the US government backed African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) . 

Speaking in Lagos at the Science of Trade (SOT) Conference organised by Ascend Studios Foundation in partnership with the US Consulate and other groups, Adeniyi who was represented by Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port, said the NCS is setting the process of perfecting trade procedures within the customs zone. 

According to the CGC, Nigeria Customs is collaborating with the Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) of the European Union (EU) for efficient export monitoring and trade facilitation

He added that as part of the NCS outreach program, the service is also working with other agencies of the Nigerian government to maximize the opportunities in trade and reduce the incident of Nigerian goods being returned from countries of destination

For traders willing to participate in AGOA,the CGC disclosed that efforts are on for the  establishment of a one-stop-shop export seat for export documentation so that it will  reduce the time taken for Nigerian exporters to get their goods out of our port.

According to him, programmes like the Time Release Studies, which we are targeting towards importing of goods and how much time it takes for businessmen to clear their goods in the port are geared towards enhancing customs efficiency in Nigeria in line with global best practices. 

The exercise, according to him is directed at  having a scientific measure of how long and how much it costs our businessmen to export their products through NCS control with a view to identifying  bureaucratic  procedures, or laws that are creating delays so that people compliant traders can  get their cargoes off the ports, border stations and airports in good time

He also listed continuous training and retraining of different cadres of customs officers, regular interface with various stakeholders and sustained improvement on technological capacity as part of efforts embarked upon since his assumption of office. 

While participating as a panelist during an interactive session, Comptroller Olomu gave detailed analysis of the trade facilitaton benefits in the NCS Act 2023 and the ease of doing business advantages captured in the new customs law. 

The CAC Apapa, while urging participants comprising of entrepreneurs, diplomats and other members of the trading community to keep themselves abreast with the provisions of government import and export prohibition lists, said Apapa port command is evolving a  reliable system to process non intrusive inspection of cargoes that meets World Customs Organisation (WCO) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) standards.

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Western Marine Customs Seizes Cannabis Sativa With Combined Weight of 720kg, 505 Parboiled Foreign Rice

Western Marine Customs Seizes Cannabis Sativa With Combined Weight of 720kg, 505 Parboiled Foreign Rice

By: Bisi Akingbade

The Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service in its continued efforts to purge the Western Waterways of the offensive activities of smuggling has intercepted and seized Seventeen (17) Sacks containing One Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Seven (1,257) loaves of Cannabis Sativa with a combined weight of 720kg worth over 96 Million Naira.

This was made through a press release issued by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller PK Bamisaiye.  

Comptroller Bamisaiye disclosed that a patrol team of Officers and Men of WMC at the Bar beach station of the Command received credible intelligence on movement of a boat on the high sea along the beach location carrying items suspected to be offending items. Upon receiving the information the team moved towards the described location and intercepted one fiber boat fitted with 200HP Yamaha Engine carrying sacks of the suspected items.

The CAC noted that in a related development a joint team of Officers and Men of the Command while on routine patrol along Panko Creek, Badagry Waterways, intercepted one wooden boat fitted with a 25HP Yamaha engine carrying suspected contraband items and upon sighting our patrol Boats abandoned their Boat and dived into the water.

He affirmed that a careful examination of the items being conveyed revealed Five Hundred and Five (505) Bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice having a combined DPV of Fifty Nine Million, One Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand Naira (N59, 185,000.00) of both items and Means of Conveyance. The actions of these smugglers is a direct contravention of sections 245 and 254 of NCS Act 2023 which WMC is responsible for enforcing.

He said in the spirit of interagency synergy and collaboration in line with the Comptroller General's  policy thrust, Western Marine Command, under his leadership has received approval to handover Seventeen (17) sacks containing One thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Seven (1,257) loaves of Cannabis Sativa which includes Seventy Two (72) loaves that were previously seized by the Command with a combined weight of 720kg worth over 96 Million Naira to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

He  appreciated the CGC and Management of NCS for the motivation they provide and  appealed to the general and trading public not to engage in illicit drugs. And to stop smuggling which lead to economic sabotage as drugs continue to be a menace to society. 

    

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Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria Joins In Nationwide Strike

Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria Joins In Nationwide Strike

By: Bisi Akingbade

Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, under the leadership of Comrade  Dr. Adewale Adeyanju, fnli, has complied with the directive of both the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to join in the indefinite total lock down of the country commencing from Monday, the 3rd of June, 2024.

According to  a press statement issued by Head of Media, MWUN,  Comrade John Ikemefuna, stated that the indefinite nationwide strike has become very imperative, given the failure of the Federal Government on the logjam and the inconclusive national minimum wage negotiation and refusal to reverse the hard biting hike in electricity tariff.

In view of the foregoing, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has directed its members in all ports nationwide, jetties, terminals, oil & gas platforms to effectively ensure the total compliance of the strke as directed by the NLC and TUC. This is also to serve as notice to all our concerned stakeholders in the Maritime sector.

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