The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is committed to carrying out its constitutional duties of enhancing border security.
Its Comptroller General, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, made this known at the 6th World Customs Organisation’s (WCO) conference in China.
His declaration was quoted in a statement by the service’s Spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, on Friday in Abuja.
The C-G attended the 6th WCO Global Authorised Economic Operator ( AEO) conference in Shenzhen, China, from 8 to 10 May 2024.
The theme of the conference is ‘Harnessing the Power of AEO Programmes for Inclusive and Sustainable Global Trade’.
Adeniyi contributing in a panel discussion titled ‘AEO programme as a key driver for economic growth and security’, said that the recently inaugurated (AEO) programme was designed to contribute to the broader objectives of the WCO.
This is in promoting border security and fostering sustainable economic development globally.
Recall that the NCS announced the inauguration of the AEO programme to enhance the efficiency and predictability of trade in the country and to boost ease of doing business within the nation’s ports.
The customs boss said that the level of implementation of the programme was at the starting point, but was ready to build the capacity of its personnel for its success.
He further explained that the move would equip the personnel with the requisite knowledge on how to implement the programme.
“We started implementing a pilot AEO programme a month ago.
“We have been inspired by the policy and vision of the new Nigerian government led by President Bola Tinubu to enhance the economic competitiveness and diversification.
“The indices that they used in compiling the ease of doing business is trading across borders, and AEO allows us to engage with our stakeholders and reduce the time and cost of doing business,” he said.
He said that even though the NCS is a beneficiary of the support of the WCO, organisers of the conference must consider the challenges that the service experienced in the area of optimising stakeholders’ engagement, among other issues.
