Customs boss tours Lekki Port, pledges support to boost trade
Story from Haruna YUSUF
As part of his official visit to Zone A, the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, toured the Lekki port and its surrounding areas on Wednesday, July 20th, 2023.
The day began with a visit to the Lagos Free Trade Zone Area Command, where the Ag. CGC was warmly welcomed by the Area Controller, Dorathy Yisa-Omogbehin.
During his visit, the Acting CGC expressed his belief that the free zone concept holds great promise for the country. He urged customs officers to collaborate with investors, emphasizing the importance of integrity and transparency in their work.
“In providing our services, we must strive for excellence in service delivery. I also encourage you to work hand in hand with our investors, offering support to those who comply with regulations while reporting and sanctioning those who do not,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, the Acting CGC highlighted the numerous benefits that the concept of a free zone brings, such as increased foreign investment, job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and the transfer of skills and technology to Nigeria.
During the visit, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dorathy Yisa-Omogbehin, shed light on the challenges faced by the command, particularly the issue of accommodation for officers. She also revealed that the command has generated over N27 billion in revenue so far this year.
“Our major challenge is accommodation; we have a lot of work to do here, but unfortunately, we lack sufficient housing for our officers. This situation forces us to send some officers to reside outside the area. For us to perform our duties effectively, our officers need to be present,” she explained.
“In terms of revenue, this year alone, we have generated N27.5 billion. We have also issued demand notices, and our interventions have totaled N1.2 billion,” she added.
The Acting CGC continued his visit by touring the headquarters of the Lagos Free Zone, Lekki Port, and the Lekki Free Zone Development Company. He received a warm reception from the CEOs, management teams, and representatives of sister agencies and stakeholders.
The Customs Chief expressed his commitment to support and facilitate trade in Nigeria, assuring the organizations of customs’ assistance. He also stressed the importance of all partner agencies understanding and promoting the concept of the free trade zone.
“As a responsible government agency, we are dedicated to providing our full support. In order to achieve this, I am committed to regular dialogue with you, so that we can address any concerns you may have. Our goal is to overcome any challenges and ensure the success of the free trade zone,” he stated.
“There is still some misunderstanding surrounding the operation and concept of the free trade zone in Nigeria. It is our collective responsibility, not just of customs but also of all government agencies involved, to promote a better understanding among the public. Together, we can create a favorable environment for the administration and management of the free trade zone,” he added.
To conclude the day’s activities, the Acting CGC visited the Dangote Refinery, further highlighting the importance of boosting trade and investment in Nigeria.
