The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has taken steps to enhance trade compliance by organising a one-day sensitisation programme at the Kano Free Trade Zone (KFTZ).
In a press statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tahir Balarabe, it was noted that the forum brought together key stakeholders operating within the zone.
Addressing participants, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, emphasised the importance of compliance and collaboration for seamless trade operations.
He urged participants to voice their concerns, confident that the engagement would pave the way for better collaboration and fewer bottlenecks.
In his paper, “Roles of Nigeria Customs Service in Free Trade Zones”, Superintendent of Customs Muideen Alabi elaborated on the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, standard operating procedures, and export processes from free trade zones to customs territories. He also pointed out common documentation errors that often delay trade activities.
The Deputy Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Richard Bassey, clarified NEPZA’s regulatory role, dispelling long-standing misconceptions. “There’s been confusion about who does what in the zone. Today, we’ve cleared the air”, he added.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion where stakeholders engaged directly with customs officials.
In his closing remarks, Comptroller Abubakar encouraged stakeholders to maintain open communication with customs officials and assured them of continued support in addressing operational challenges.
