NPA, Customs Synergise On Agro-allied Export Facilitation

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have renewed cooperation to facilitate export of agro-allied products to the international market.

The renewed synergy was expressed when the managing director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko paid a courtesy visit to the acting comptroller general of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting was focused on enabling the ease of export processing by eliminating all procedural bottlenecks that constitute delays and affect the competitiveness of Nigerian goods especially agro-allied products in the international marketplace.

Bello-Koko, further sought the support of Adeniyi, to decongest the Lagos seaports through the upgrade of facilities at the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal.

According to the NPA boss, once Lagos ports are decongested, the facilities will attract higher patronage.

He, however, called for synergy among the various Customs units to enhance speedy passage of cleared consignment at the terminal.

“We thank you so much for supporting the Committee that was set up. Members of this Committee have gone round the country,” Bello-Koko stated.

He expressed worries over the congestion at the Port, which, according to him, makes it difficult for the Authority to operate properly

On his part, the Ag. Comptroller-General of  Customs, Adeniyi, expressed commitment to enhance trade facilitation in the nation’s seaports as well as decongesting the Lagos ports -Apapa and Tin-Can Island.

He also expressed readiness to enhance the output of designated export processing terminals in the country, saying the two organisations need to synergize to streamline the operations of the nation’s seaports.

The Customs CG, however, commended the NPA for creating Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) which have advanced the fortunes of exports in the country.

Adeniyi assured that the NCS was finalising efforts at streamlining the multiplicity of Customs Units / checkpoints, evacuation of overtime cargo from the Ports, speedy relocation of the Custom facility standing on the rail link of Apapa Ports and resolving all challenges to pave way for the optimisation of Ikorodu Lighter Terminal.

“We need to form a joint team that will engage other government agencies to fine tune the activities of exporting goods through the installation of trackers to avoid delays in the diversion of goods – and I want to assure you that the management team of the Nigeria Customs Service will work with you,” Adeniyi stated.

“Given that balance of trade is crucial to strengthening the value of the Naira, this renewed collaboration between the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Customs will add fresh impetus to the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at growing the national economy.”