President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its modernisation and reforms, noting that the initiative was boosting its operational effectiveness.
Tinubu stated this at the opening ceremony of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Conference with the theme `NCS: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose’, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The President’s speech was delivered by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
He said that the reforms were in line with his administration’s vision of growing Nigeria`s economy through industrialisation and economic diversification.
“This alignment is demonstrated in the service’s comprehensive modernisation agenda.
“ Responding to our administration’s call for enhanced trade facilitation and economic growth, the service has introduced significant reforms, including the Advanced Ruling system and the Authorised Economic Operator Programme.
“ These initiatives align with global best practices and show how agencies can innovatively implement solutions that advance our national economic objectives, while meeting international standards.
“Such reforms enhance trade facilitation and create a more predictable business environment that supports our broader financial goals, “ he said.
He said that the reforms contributed significantly to Nigeria`s improved global ranking and ease of doing business.
The President assured NCS of support to its modernisation and reform initiatives, by providing it with the necessary policy backing and enablement, to strengthen the service’s capacity to deliver on its mandates.
He said that NCS had shown remarkable progress in revenue generation which was enhancing the government’s capacity to fund critical national development projects.
Tinubu stated that upon resuming office, he outlined the vision of strengthening Nigeria’s economic base by building on existing foundations and introducing necessary reforms.
“Removing fuel subsidies and unifying our exchange rate system were crucial steps toward building a more transparent and sustainable economic framework,“ he said.
He noted that as part of measures to actualise his administration`s reforms policies, the government was focused on strengthening Nigeria’s global trade and investment position.
The president said that the move was through strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing trade facilitation, modernising the country`s port infrastructure, and streamlining business processes to reduce trade barriers.
According to the president, in less than two years in office, his administration had received more than 30 billion dollars in commitments from foreign investors.
He said that the achievement demonstrated that his policies were yielding positive results and increasingly attracting both domestic and international investors.
According to the President, the theme of the conference is apt for the evolving economic landscape, noting that sustainable progress in today’s interconnected global economy requires strengthening existing alliances and building new ones.
“Your deliberations should chart a path for enhancing our trade processes and compliance frameworks in ways that position Nigeria to maximise the opportunities presented by regional and continental integration, while maintaining robust border security.
“The outcomes of this conference should provide a clear roadmap for achieving these objectives in line with our national economic aspirations,” he said.
