Customs collaborate with maritime police, clearing agents to facilitate trade
In a bid to reinforce National Security along the nation's waterways, The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Maritime Police Command have deepened collaboration and intelligence sharing to combat multiplying maritime threats.
This is according to a statement on Monday by Chief Superintendent of Customs Zonal Public Relations Officer Zone 'A', Edeminam Akininyene.
Akininyene said the agreement was reached when the Maritime Police Command and the Clearing Agents visited the Customs Zonal Headquarters in Lagos.
He said that the Assistant Inspector General of Police Festus Oko, of the Maritime Police Command's visit to Zone 'A' was aimed at deepening inter-agency collaboration.
Oko said that the renewed partnership accented a shared vision for a resilient and collaborative security aimed at tackling crimes on the country's waterways.
The Assistant Inspector -General of Police commended the Nigeria Customs Service for it's unwavering dedication, professionalism in trade facilitation and protection of lives.
Oko noted that the service's role in revenue collection and trade facilitation remained pivotal to the country's socio-economic growth and stability.
The Zonal Coordinator Zone 'A', Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, commended the Assistant Inspector -General of Police, Maritime command and his team for their commitment to legitimate service delivery.
Babadede said that the service remained a partner in progress for balancing trade facilitation with the enforcement of fiscal policies.
He further reiterated that customs would not allow procedural overlapped to hinder the economic rebirth.
Akininyene said that both security agencies recommitted to real-time intelligence sharing and joint protocols to prevent duplicate inspections.
He said that the two agencies collaborative framework was to ensure that security measures complement rather than complicate trade facilitation.
In a related development, Western Zonal Coordinator, the Association of the Nigeria Licensed Customs Agent, (ANLCA), Femi Anifowose, also visited Zone 'A' Headquarters to strengthen trade facilitation.
Anifowose congratulated the Assistant Comptroller General, Mohammed Babandede on his appointment as the Zonal Coordinator Zone 'A', Lagos describing it as the recognition of his service towards a better Nigeria.
He mentioned critical challenges contributing to bottlenecks leading to high demurrage fees and exacerbating supply chain disruption.
The Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Mohammed Babandede, pledge stronger collaboration with the association of Nigeria licensed customs agent -western zone to improve revenue generation and enhance national security.
He said synergy between customs and clearing agents would help eliminate trade bottlenecks, and support President Bola Tinubu's National Single window (NSW) initiative and propel Nigeria toward a $1 trillion economy by 2026.
"This visit is a testament to our shared resolve by imploring greater collaboration.
"We are not just reducing bottlenecks but we are unlocking Nigeria's potential for greater growth,job abundance and a prosperous future for all.
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