BY CHIKA OKEKE
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has assured of its commitment to continuously implement measures that improve both security and trade along the border corridor, as the recent operation involving Nigerian and Beninese security agencies reinforced efforts to combat cross-border crime.
Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni stated this during a working visit by the Commissioner of Police, CP, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, to the Command Headquarters in Idiroko.
He stated that the engagement through the Joint Border Security Committee led to a significant reduction in the number of checkpoints, thereby easing the movement of legitimate goods without compromising security.
Afeni explained that the reforms are in line with the Service's broader modernisation agenda, which recently earned the Nigeria Customs Service recognition by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, as one of Nigeria's top-performing government agencies in trade facilitation.
He reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening border security while making legitimate trade easier at the Idiroko border.
Afeni hinted that the Command remains focused on building stronger partnerships with sister security agencies to protect the nation's borders while creating an environment where businesses can operate without unnecessary delays.
"Our responsibility goes beyond revenue collection. We are equally committed to securing our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, and supporting economic growth. By working closely with other security agencies, we are creating a border system that is secure, efficient, and business-friendly," he said.
CP Ojajuni commended the Ogun I Area Command for its leadership in maintaining peace and security along the Idiroko border corridor.
He observed that despite being one of Ogun State's busiest border communities, the area has remained peaceful, attributing the achievement to the strong collaboration among security agencies.
Determined to end the bottlenecks associated with legitimate businesses, the NCS has pledged to support the growth of Nigeria's printing industry through improved stakeholder engagement, tariff advocacy and enhanced trade facilitation.
At a meeting with the leadership of the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria, CIPPON, at the Service Headquarters in Abuja, the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Adewale Adeniyi described the institute's presentation as a well-researched business case that deserves national attention.
He assured the delegation of the Service's commitment to supporting policies that encourage local production and directed that a joint position paper be forwarded to the Minister of Finance ahead of the next meeting of the Tariff Review Committee.
"We have a shared responsibility to ensure the sustainability of Nigeria's printing industry. The NCS will continue to support policies that promote local production, facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen the competitiveness of indigenous manufacturers. We will also continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that tariff policies support industrial growth and national economic development," the CGC stated.
The Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan explained that the Service implements government fiscal policies but welcomed COPPIN's advocacy.
She encouraged the institute to submit its proposals to the Federal Ministry of Finance and noted that existing concessions under Chapter 99 of the Common External Tariff already support manufacturers importing approved raw materials and machinery.
The President of CIPPON, Koko Clement, who led its management team, described the printing industry as one of Nigeria's largest employers after agriculture, stating that it provides direct and indirect employment for over four million Nigerians while supporting the livelihoods of more than twenty million defendants.
He sought strategic partnership with the Service to improve the competitiveness of the sector, adding that imbalance places local manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage and undermines efforts to grow domestic production.
Clement was worried that essential production inputs, including paper, printing plates, inks, machinery and spare parts, attract relatively high import duties, while some finished printed materials enter the country at lower duty rates.
The engagement focused on addressing tariff-related challenges affecting the printing industry and strengthening collaboration to promote local manufacturing.
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