The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Command, and its counterpart from the Republic of Benin have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade ties and combating trans-border smuggling.
Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Idiroko, after emerging from the closed-door meeting, said that the engagement aimed to foster a secure and seamless trade relationship between both countries.
According to Shuaibu, customs authorities of the two countries have also pledged to evolve a workable solutions that will enable them jointly tackle the challenges hindering the smooth flow of trade between the two countries.
He pointed out that these formed parts of the resolutions between management of the Ogun 1 Area Command of NCS, Idiroko, led by the Comptroller Shuaibu and head of the Benin Republic Customs Area Controller in Igolo Command, Soglonou Jean-Paul.
Shuaibu said that the comptroller from Benin-republic Customs, led a six-man delegate to a closed door strategic meeting in Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun.
Shuaibu underscored the long-standing economic relationship between Nigeria and Benin, noting that their trade history is crucial not only for bilateral ties but for regional economic stability.
“The economic relationship between Nigeria and Benin is vital not only to our bilateral ties but to the entire region.
“We must ensure that trade between our nations remains secure, organised, and mutually beneficial,” he said.
He further stressed that customs services globally operate as a unified system, adding that both agencies agreed to maintain a synchronised approach to trade enforcement.
Shuaibu explained that the session offered the opportunity to hear firsthand from stakeholders, share insights and engage in frank discussions that would lead to actionable outcomes.
“So, all we are trying to do is to cement the existing relationship between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, which has been an old tie,” he said.
He noted that the tie would not go unnoticed without trade, saying, “the trade is what we are trying to cement now”.
“We are just trying to see how can we have a seamless trade experience and how we can facilitate legitimate trade between the two countries.
“We are here and all of us have agreed on one point and that is to enforce the fiscal policy of government against smuggling activities,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the recent exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Shuaibu assured that the development had not affected trade flows in the region.
“Trade is not limited to ECOWAS alone. We still operate under the African Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), ensuring continued commerce across the continent,” he explained.
The meeting also had the participation of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), reinforcing the importance of private sector involvement in shaping trade policies.
Shuaibu reiterated that the consultation, collaboration, and synergy approach of the Comptroller-General of Customs would continue to guide engagements between the two nations. (NA
Art Merchant Calls For Changes To Customs Export Regulations
An art merchant and craftsman, Isah Lawan, has urged the Nigeria Customs Service to revise its regulations pertaining to the export of locally crafted artworks by collectors and expatriates.
Lawan made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to the craftsman, who plies his trade at the Eko Hotel and Suites Art and Crafts Centre, many collectors and expatriates are excited about Nigerian artworks.
“When we have about 40 to 50 Europeans that come to the market, you can say about 30 would like to buy artwork, and they help us promote it,” he said.
He, however, said that in spite of its appeal, the industry was being killed by unnecessary restrictions.
He said the biggest challenge confronting the industry was the difficulty of exporting art due to certain Customs regulations.
According to the craftsman, who has been in the business for about 40 years, collectors often experience challenges mainly at the airports and seaports when taking their collections home.
“I don’t know whether their boys don’t know the difference between modern artworks and antiquities.
“They all term it to be antiquity, simply because they want to get something from them.
“When you buy something for N5,000, for example, they will now challenge you to pay N50,000 while you are taking it out.
“So, this provokes them and they just throw it away; some bring it back to the market,” he said.
Lawan decried the trend, adding that it was not only impacting negatively on businesses, but also on preserving Nigeria’s artistic legacy.
He recommended that the customs officials be trained on the difference between contemporary and antique art.
“An antique is something that has been used for the past 60 years, and all those from the olden days are antiquities.
“You can’t get the antiquities, only the copies, and you would have to go to the museum where they will give you a paper stating it’s not an antiquity,” he explained.
