The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will partner with the Customs’administrators in the Republic of Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic to establish joint border posts.
This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of Director-Generals of Customs in the five West and Central African countries held in Abuja.
The communiqué said concrete measures would be put in place to ensure the implementation of the joint border posts.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will partner with the Customs’administrators in the Republic of Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic to establish joint border posts.
This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of Director-Generals of Customs in the five West and Central African countries held in Abuja.
The communiqué said concrete measures would be put in place to ensure the implementation of the joint border posts.
It commended the joint border patrol currently in operation between Nigeria and Niger Republic and urged other countries to extend same to the rest of the region.
The communiqué also called on governments in the region to support joint cross-border patrols by providing adequate vehicles and equipment.
It said the meeting also resolved to strictly adhere to the provisions of Transit Protocols in the Regional Economic Groups to enhance regional trade and foster professionalism in Customs operations.
The meeting called for the streamlining of the operation of checkpoints by Customs administrations through the use of professional tools and removal of those in the hinterlands.
The Customs administrations also resolved to partner with other government agencies to reduce non-tariff barriers associated with the movement of goods across borders.
They also resolved to implement Fast-Track Concessions for Compliant Traders in line with international best practices.
The communiqué also said the Customs chiefs resolved to organise awareness seminars to build compliance among stakeholders, and training programmes to build the capacity of Customs operatives.
“The conference resolved to establish focal points within the Customs administrations to communicate within the region in the movement of goods, and pursue on-going projects related to the inter-connectivity of its computer systems,’’ it said.
Also, the meeting agreed to communicate significant seizures and methods of concealment among Customs administrations to build formidable risk profiles of cross-border operators.
It resolved to set up dedicated desks in the Customs administrations to address the issues and challenges related to transit trade among the proximate countries.
The meeting also agreed to use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools to facilitate the exchange of information between the Customs administrations.
Further, it resolved to establish documents and instruments which would be exchanged between the Customs administrations to ensure transparency.
It is also to work towards the conclusion of Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreements in its administrations.
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