As part of efforts to ease the export processes in the nation, the Acting Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has expressed commitment to partner Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to enhance the output of designated export processing terminals.
The Customs boss gave this assurance yesterday, when he received the Managing Director of NPA, Mr. Mohammad Bello-Koko, and his entourage on a courtesy visit.
Adeniyi, who spoke about some recent developments at Lilypond, told Mr. Bello-Koko that the both organizations need to synergize to streamline the operations of the nation’s seaports in a bid to facilitate trade.
“We need to form a joint team that will engage other Government Agencies to refine the activities of exporting goods through the installation of trackers to avoid delays in the diversion of goods – and I want to assure you that the Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service will work with you,” the Acting CGC said.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of the NPA, Bello-Koko, congratulated the Ag. CGC, and sought his support to upgrade facilities at the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal and decongest Lagos ports.
Bello-Koko assured the CGC that once Lagos ports are decongested, the facilities will attract higher patronage, even as he called for synergy among the various Customs units to enhance speedy passage of cleared consignments at terminals.
The NPA boss said, “We thank you so much for supporting the Committee that was set up. Members of this Committee have gone round the country.”
He, however, expressed worries over the congestion at the ports, which, according to him, makes it difficult for the Authority to operate efficiently.
