The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has encouraged compliance among port users stressing that compliance stakeholders drive economic development and Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the country.
Adeniyi made this remark while speaking at the Apapa Customs Command end-of-year party to celebrate port stakeholders for the 2024 exploits which culminated in over N2.2trillion revenue collected at the Command.
The Customs helmsman, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, congratulated the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and all the officers and men of Apapa Area Command for the milestone achieved in 2024.
Customs CG also harped on the need for compliance and synergies as necessary strategies to greater productivity at the port, stressing that compliance is a competitive advantage.
“It is with immense pleasure that I stand before you today to celebrate a shared commitment to compliance and excellence in trade. This award ceremony is a testament to your dedication to ethical business practices, adherence to regulations, and unwavering support for the principles that drive Nigeria’s economic growth.
“Compliance is not merely a requirement; it is a competitive advantage. It fosters transparency, reduces operational risks, and strengthens the trust between businesses and regulatory authorities. It also positions compliant stakeholders to enjoy streamlined processes, faster clearance times, and access to the numerous benefits that come with being recognized as trusted trade partners.
“As a Service, we understand that sustaining compliance can sometimes require capacity building, especially as global trade evolves. To this end, the Service is committed to providing the necessary training, technical assistance, and partnerships that will empower you with the knowledge and tools to maintain this high standard,” the Customs boss said.
In his welcome speech, Comptroller Olomu expressed appreciation to the CGC and the Customs management team for always providing the direction and inspiration for the Command in it’s drive to meet government’s expectations.
He described the end of year party as many things rolled up in one as it strengthens the stakeholders bond as a community of government and private sector collaborators working together for the betterment of Nigeria and the 2024 end-of-the-year honours for outstanding performances.
Comptroller Olomu, however, expressed delight that despite the challenge of low trade volume, the Command was able to achieve its target which is a reflection of officers commitment and dedication to duty.
According to him improving on stakeholder engagement has become an operational template the Comptroller General of Customs has impressed on the officers and expressed joy to announce that it has proven to be a masterstroke towards enhanced compliance.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank all sister government agencies for their consistent collaboration in 2024. They are indeed an integral part of the Command’s success story in 2024. I urge them to stay on board let’s do it again in 2025.
“With our port users, we maintained regularly enlightenment meetings, faster trade dispute resolution mechanism and consistent appraisal of feedbacks to keep improving on our responsibilities. There have been positive fallouts of our regular interface with our stakeholders. This is evident in our collection of N2.2trillion revenue and still counting,” he said.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to APM Terminals, Sifax Group, ENL Consortium, Dangote, Talod Ocean Airfreight and Princess Chi Ezeh the CEO of Munah Sylva Nigeria Limited; even as the Command also recognised serving and retired officers for their contributions to its overall success in 2024.
