ZAINAB JUNAID
As part of his commitment to enhance trade facilitation and strengthen bonds with relevant Stakeholders in the Country, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi recently embarked on a 4-Day working visit to North-West part of the Country.
The visit, which underscores the Service’s commitment to addressing critical issues such as food scarcity and ensuring welfare of citizens across the nation, commenced with a flag-off ceremony of Nigeria Customs Service Housing Estate Scheme at Gidan Iyali Estate, Millennium City, Kaduna, on Thursday 7, March 2024, where the CGC reiterated his commitment to improving the welfare of Customs personnel across the federation through housing initiative.
He noted that the national spread of the housing scheme initiative to other areas like Kano, Asaba, Abuja, Enugu among others is aimed at providing Officers and Men of the service, the opportunity to access and benefit from the laudable initiative that is not just pocket friendly but also at convenient locations.
To him, “The initiative was deemed expedient as some of the personnel have retired from service without a befitting home to commence the new phase of life after retirement. It is hoped that the project will go a long way at putting an end to the misery that have been experienced by some officers and men in the past.”
Also speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Portfolio and Assets Manager of Family Homes, George Anih, expressed commitment to partnering the Nigeria Customs Service to provide 5000 houses for officers and men of the Service, as he said his firm is critical about providing shelters for Nigerians at an affordable price.
Mr. Musa Abubakar, Managing Director of Cooperative Mortgage Bank on his part assured the Comptroller-General of Customs of his commitment to ensure the successful completion of the project.
On the same day, the CGC stop-over at New Zone B Headquarters Construction Site In Mando to ascertain Project Progress. While speaking to newsmen shortly after inspecting the site, the CGC described the magnificent project as a means to establish a solid and efficient infrastructure to drive the activities of the Service.
He stressed that the completion of the project is a priority to the Service, as the structure will serve as a cornerstone of the Service operations in this region, further strengthening the capacity to safeguard borders and combat illicit activities.
Also in a symbolic gesture of respect and commitment to fostering positive relations, the CGC after the inspection at Mando, paid homage to Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, at his Palace in Kano.
This was aimed at strengthening the bond between NCS and Kano Community. During the visit, CGC Adeniyi reiterated the Service profound commitment to collaboration and mutual understanding.
While expressing his dedication to facilitate trade in the state, Adeniyi pledged to implement policies aimed at streamlining business processes and engaging with stakeholders.
He also revealed that the Service has made all arrangements to implement measures to alleviate the current challenge of food scarcity and hardship in Kano by distributing food items to the state’s citizens.
In response, the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, expressed delights over the CGC’s proactive initiative of alleviating hardship and hunger faced by most ordinary people through the distribution of food items to Kano Citizens and also urged the Comptroller to ensure that the gesture reached the most affected people.
Still in Kano, the Comptroller General visited Kano/Jigawa Command on Friday, March 8, 2024, where he addressed journalists, Officers and Men of the Command on the prevailing state of food scarcity in the country and measures to ensure national food security.
He emphasized the importance of representing the Service well to gain the trust of Nigerians and charged Officers present to address their conduct, cautioning against the unauthorized use of social media.
He further reiterated that all actions of the Nigeria Customs Service are governed by the law and aimed at building a prosperous country.
At Dawanau International Grains Market, CGC Adewale cautioned the marketers against illegal export and hoarding of food supplies as this can jeopardize the availability and affordability of food for Nigerians.
Adeniyi explained that “The President has asked me to request your understanding that during this period, we will implement the laws forbidding the exportation of certain grains such as beans, rice, and millet, among many others. We do not want those that are locally produced in Nigeria and those that are already imported to be re-exported out of the country. This directives underscores government’s commitment to mitigating the effects of food shortages and ensuring equitable distribution of resources amidst the current national crisis,” He said.
In his remarks, the President of the Dawanau Market Development Association, Muttaka Isah, told the comptroller-general that members of the association were facing unfounded allegations in some quarters that dealers hoard grains in their warehouses, which is untrue.
Also, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dawanau Development Association, Abdullahi Maidoya, though commended the Comptroller-General for his commitment to fostering a conducive business environment for traders within the market but emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between the Service and market stakeholders to address barriers and ensure smooth flow of essential commodities into the country.
In a related development, the Comptroller-General on Saturday March 9, 2024, embarked on a comprehensive inspection visit to Malam Aminu Kano International Airport and some Bonded Terminals under the jurisdiction of NCS Kano/Jigawa Area Command, where he sought cooperation of Mai’adua, Kongolom Border Communities in Katsina State against smuggling. The session brought together traditional leaders, business figures, and community members of Mai’adua, a township situated 91 kilometers from Katsina town in Northern Nigeria.
His presence was warmthly welcomed by Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, who was represented by Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Naziru Mua’azu Danmusa.
CGC Adewale, further visited former President Muhammadu Buhari, and his Royal Highness, Emir of Daura, Dr. Farouk Umar Farouk to seek their cooperation towards effective border management. This is in continuation of his strategic Stakeholders engagement.
During the visit, Adeniyi conveyed the purpose behind his recent expedition to the Maiadua Border in Kongolam, attributing it to President Bola Tinubu’s directive aimed at ameliorating the socio-economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
In response, former President Buhari and Emir Farouk Umar Farouk graciously acknowledged Adeniyi’s visit, commending the NCS for its crucial role in border protection, they deemed indispensable for safeguarding national security interests. They also pledged unwavering support to the Service in its pursuit of excellence.
On Sunday 10 March 2024, CGC Adewale engaged Stakeholders from across the import-export ecosystem in a landmark breakfast meeting in order to address operational challenges and fostering a more efficient trade environment.
While the stakeholders highlighted the challenges associated with the change of procedure code and compounded by a cumbersome process for clearance consignments on transire from coastal ports to Inland Container Terminals in Kano, the CGC assured them of proactive engagement with operators to identify and implement solutions, saying “We will work closely with shipping lines through the Nigerian Shippers Council to resolve any issue hindering the timely clearance of goods.”
The CGC later wrapped up his 4- Day visit with a significant meeting with Governor Abba Kabir and a visit to Mamuda Group of Companies in Chalawa. The visit was to rejuvenate the historical rapport between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Kano State Government, to enhance cooperation for the mutual benefit of both entities. In the meeting, Governor Abba Kabir expressed satisfaction over the proactive approach deployed by NCS in safeguarding the nation’s borders and reiterated the commitment of the Kano State Government to providing necessary support and cooperation to the Nigeria Customs Service in fulfilling its mandate within the state
At Mamuda Group of Companies, Hassan Hammoud, Chairman of the Company, reassured CGC Adeniyi of the Company’s unwavering commitment to complying with customs provisions and regulations, and reaffirmed Mamuda Group’s dedication to maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service.
In all, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s visit to the North West Zone of Nigeria depicted proactive approach of NCS in safeguarding the Nation’s border and promoting economic prosperity in Kano and Nigeria at large amid hardship currently faced in the Country.
