By Barnabas Esiet.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has asked stakeholders including; businessmen, policy makers and government agencies in the Nigerian maritime industry to leverage the benefits of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Free Trade Zones (FTZs) to attract more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country and grow the sector.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lagos Free Trade Zone Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Abiola, who represented the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, stated this during a training organized for newsmen by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) at the School of Eloquence in Lagos.
Making reference to the New Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023 and How it will enhance economic growth, Abiola underscored the crucial role of public relations to any organization, adding that Adewale Bashir Adeniyi’s rise to the position of Controller-General of Customs (CGC) remains a major source of motivation for serving junior public relations officers of the NCS.
Abiola maintained that economic growth depends largely on ease of doing business and adherence to the rule of law, among other factors, noting that the NCS was generally shifting from over emphasis on maximum revenue generation and anti-smuggling to international best practices in customs operations.
He stated, “There is no need to be hostile in enforcing customs operational rules. More so, the Comptroller-General of Customs is aiming for civilized customs in Nigeria, by ensuring that officers move away from the old ways of doing things to international best practices and standards of doing things.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is also shifting from the outdated regulations and cumbersome operational models and encouraging businessmen and traders to be compliant stakeholder. Sections 7, 14(5) and 18, which set up a governing board, funding sources for sustainability for Customs operations, are meant to improve standards and align with international best practices,”
Abiola further disclosed that the NCS Act 2023 was facing some challenges relating to implementation huddles, expensive technology infrastructure, continuous comprehensive trainings for officers, vigilance against corruption and stakeholder engagement, among others.
He highlighted that despite the NCS’ emphasis on adequate revenue generation, it also aiming at simplifying trade operations in line with global trends and best practices.
Also speaking, Dean, School of Eloquence, Dr. Ubong Essien, urged the maritime journalists to enhance their reportage of the Nigerian Marine and Blue Economy and take advantage of the economic benefits inherent in the sector.
On his part, President of AMJON, Paul Ogbuokiri, who commended the management of the School of Eloquence for providing the facilities for the training programme, charged maritime journalists to update and upgrade their reportorial skills.
The training was facilitated with the support from the NCS, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the School of Eloquence.
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