Customs Service partners with WASP to strengthen trade security (Pictures)
The Nigeria Customs Service has collaborated with the West Africa Security Project (WASP). The engagement, initiated on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, aims to equip officers with heightened security awareness for efficient trade facilitation and improved border security.
During a meeting at the Customs Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR addressed the delegates of the West Africa Security Project. He emphasized the significance of the project in combating smuggling and illegal trafficking, describing it as a valuable opportunity for officers to excel in their security duties.
CGC Bashir highlighted the program’s benefits, including cargo profiling, handling small arms and light weapons, participation in global shield programs dealing with chemicals and radioactive elements, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders for synergy.
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According to CGC, “there is an existing project managed by the world bank that looks at the Lagos-Abidjan corridor whose aim is to promote trade facilition. Bringing in this new project that looks at the security aspect will boost our performances and potent a lot of opportunities for us.”
He added “We will be able to account for 60% of the GDP if we are able to cooperate effectively. This project requires the cooperation and collaboration of all the Customs administrations involved”.
Furthermore the CGC said that the program also entails field officers brainstorming and exchanging ideas.
According to him, it will help officer know convergence of smuggling route to minimize smuggling and trafficking activities.
The project manager of West Africa Security Project (WASP) Terry Wall, outlined some of the benefits of the program to include; identification of high risk cargo, provision of training of national Customs Enforcement Network (nCEN), delivery of refresher training in the use of Customs Enforcement Network (CEN), joint activity to deliver GEOSPATIAL intelligence and High Level End-of-Project Evaluation with the donor.
See pictures below:
