The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has partnered the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) as it pledges to cripple every effort at promoting smuggling.
Receiving ambassadors of the UN—Habitat, led by Doctor Raymond Edoh, at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja, the Acting Comptroller General of Customs (Ag.CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, reiterated that the Service, under his watch, will implement every necessary action against saboteurs of Nigeria’s economy to cripple their ‘illegitimate’ business of smuggling.
The Ag.CGC said: “On behalf of the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service, I wish to inform you that we will partner you in this campaign, and we will grant you all forms of support you may need to carry out this campaign. And I want to assign one of our amiable deputy Comptroller Generals (DCGs), Abba Kura, to work with you closely.”
He appreciated how they travelled from afar to intimate the NCS of their campaign against smuggling, which, according to him, the NCS has already started yielding positive results in suppressing the menace of smuggling.
The Ag. CGC also welcomed Edoh’s offer to engage officers and men of the Service in capacity building to enhance their understanding of digital literacy skills, adding that the Service has already started embracing technology to advance its work by introducing related courses to officers.
He appreciated the collaborative effort between the Nigeria Customs Service and UN—Habitat and believes that the collaboration signifies a commitment to tackling smuggling and enhancing trade facilitation in the nation, setting the stage for a more prosperous future.
The Customs boss said: “What we’re trying to do is to raise a modern Customs Service through partnering with stakeholders to achieve our goals because we value partnership, and I am happy that you extended your hands of collaboration to work with us.”
He also appreciated their pledge to train officers and men of the Service in digital literacy skills, assuring that the Service will continue to prioritise proficiency in the fight against smuggling through technological approach.
Adeniyi underscored the importance of digital skills, promising that the relevant Service department will enhance trade facilitation.
On his part, the Director of UN—Habitat, Edoh, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reposing the responsibility of heading the Nigeria Customs Service on the Acting Comptroller General, describing him as “a competent Customs officer who knows the terrain and masters the job.”
According to him, they decided to visit the Ag. CGC at the Customs Headquarters to express their interest in partnering with the Service.
He appreciated the Service for being a “gatekeeper of the country” that protects citizens against border threats, stressing that his organisation will collaborate with NCS to mitigate the smuggling of illicit goods and train officers and men of Customs on digital literacy skills and certification.
UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for developing urban policies and translating them into action to create sustainable cities and promote viable urban development and adequate shelter for all.