- CGC Adewale Adeniyi
By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has recommended collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the maritime industry to unlock the immense potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).
This is with the conviction that the success of AfCFTA is deeply intertwined with the maritime industry, which plays a vital role in customs operations and the realisation of AfCFTA objectives.
The CGC, who spoke at the ongoing 43rd Annual Council Meeting and 18th Roundtable of Managing Directors/Exhibition of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Lagos, said the AfCFTA objectives present a beacon of hope for Africa’s economic transformation, ranging from promoting intra-African trade to sustainable economic growth.
He noted that these goals resonate profoundly with the eight-point agenda of the Bola Tinubu administration, which “aspires to ensure food security, end poverty, foster economic growth, create jobs, provide access to capital, ensure security, improve the ease of doing business, uphold the rule of law and combat corruption.”
He disclosed that customs has taken proactive steps to align its activities with the aspirations related to trade facilitation and ports.
“Notably, our initiatives include transforming Nigeria into Africa’s most efficient trading nation, addressing the long-standing issue of port congestion, and enforcing the presidential directive on 48-hour clearance of goods at seaports in accordance with Executive Order 001.
“Furthermore, we are redefining performance measures for key government agencies to emphasise trade facilitation, implementing the National Single Window trading platform, and launching a comprehensive transformational programme to support export development.
He reminded participants of the need for customs and the maritime industry to work together to ensure the success of AfCFTA.
“It is a powerful reminder that in this era of increased collaboration and inter-dependence, customs and the maritime industry must work hand in hand to ensure the overall success of these initiatives.”
