The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has received members of the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, led by its Chairman, Hon. David Idris Zacharias, who were at the Apapa Area Command as part of their ongoing oversight visit to assess safety compliance across critical national agencies.
The visit, which took place on Monday followed a similar one to the Service’s headquarters in Abuja, provided an avenue for the lawmakers to interact with the Customs management and gain first-hand insight into the Service’s role in ensuring the safety and protection of Nigerians through border management and enforcement of import standards.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Zacharias stated that the committee embarked on the nationwide exercise in line with its mandate to assess safety practices and regulatory compliance in agencies of government. He emphasized that the Committee’s visit was not targeted at fault-finding but aimed at fostering collaboration between Customs and the legislature toward ensuring the protection of lives and property through effective enforcement of standards.
“We have a mandate that we should carry on this exercise, and we started the inspections from the head office of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja. We sought the approval of the Comptroller-General to go around all terminals,” Zacharias said.
He explained that the Committee had received several petitions and reports alleging lapses in safety enforcement involving various agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, and that the visit was to verify such claims on the ground.
“We are aware that petitions and accusations have been laid before the National Assembly, but w are here to see things for ourselves and to verify those allegations. It is also to appreciate the efforts of Customs in safeguarding Nigerians from harmful and substandard goods,” the Chairman added.
Hon. Zacharias, while noting that the safety of Nigerians remains a shared responsibility, lauded the Customs Service for its cooperation and openness during the visit.
“The safety of Nigeria is our collective responsibility. Nobody will do it for us. We have seen that the Nigeria Customs Service also has a mandate tied to the safety of Nigerians. This means we share a common understanding and must work together as a team,” he stated.
Several members of the committee, including also used the opportunity to raise questions concerning the entry of substandard products into the Nigerian market, including fake cables and electrical materials alleged to have caused fire incidents and building collapses in the country.
One of the lawmakers,noted that while the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has a clear statutory responsibility to regulate product quality, Customs also has an obligation to ensure that banned or dangerous goods do not find their way into the country.
“We understand that SON is primarily responsible for product standards, but what proactive measures has the Nigeria Customs Service put in place to complement that effort and prevent harmful goods from entering Nigeria?” he querief
In his response, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oludare Oshoba, who received the lawmakers on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, expressed appreciation for the committee’s visit and assured them of the Service’s unwavering commitment to safety enforcement and national security.
“You are very welcome to this command. We were fully prepared for your coming, and we are ready to give you access to all our facilities,” Oshoba said.
The Customs boss emphasized that the Service remains committed to enforcing trade laws and intercepting substandard or prohibited items at the nation’s entry points.
“We have records of seizures of such items, and we ensure that they do not find their way into the Nigerian market. Within Apapa Command, we do not allow any consignment that poses harm to the society or national security. We are firm on that,” he stated.
Comptroller Oshoba, however, pointed out that Nigeria’s extensive and porous land borders continue to pose challenges to national security and trade monitoring, a situation that sometimes enables unapproved goods to enter the country through unauthorised routes.
“We have expansive and porous borders, and this remains one of the major national security concerns. But within our operational jurisdiction here in Apapa, we enforce compliance strictly and do not compromise on safety standards,” he said.
He further assured the lawmakers that the Service would continue to work collaboratively with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and other relevant agencies to strengthen monitoring mechanisms against substandard imports.
The visit, which also featured facility inspection and documentation review, was part of a broader national oversight tour being undertaken by the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations to evaluate the safety policies, practices, and inter-agency coordination among regulatory bodies.
In closing, Hon. Zacharias commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service for its cooperation and professional conduct, expressing optimism that the committee’s findings would help the National Assembly make informed decisions in support of improved national safety standards.
