CGC Describes Yobe State As Strategic For Customs Operations

The Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has reaffirmed his resilience and commitment to collaborate with Governor Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe State to ensure the state continues to benefit from the Service.

The Ag. CGC re-assurance came on Wednesday, 9 August 2023, when he received the Governor and his entourage at the Customs  Headquarters, Abuja, on a courtesy visit.

The CGC described Yobe as a strategic point of operation for the Nigeria Customs Service, adding that “Customs station is located in Geidam, and for us in Customs, Yobe is a very strategic place and critical in our operation.”

He assured the Governor that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to engage in making significant interventions for his citizens, saying ,“we have noted your request, and it is heartwarming to recall that we have, in the past, been involved in the number of humanitarian supports to your state.” he added.

The Customs Boss, who further assured the Governor that he would do everything possible to fulfil the promises to render support to Yobe State Government, also urged Governor Mai-Mala Buni to assist the Service in all ramifications.

Earlier, the Governor of Yobe State, Mai-Mala Buni, congratulated the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on his appointment, said that “We are here, first and foremost, to congratulate you and to thank you for what the service has been doing for us – and of course to ask for more collaboration.”

He also told the CGC, “The service has given a lot of humanitarian support to the good people of Yobe State; thus, we want to appreciate your efforts and request to strengthen our relationship.”

Meanwhile, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi on Monday, 7 July 2023, assured stakeholders of his commitment to ensuring their businesses prosper.

He made this known in Abeokuta, the headquarters of Ogun II Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service when he visited the command as part of his familiarisation visit.

While engaging with Excise Traders and Free Trade Zone Operators in Ogun State, the Ag. CGC said that their operations are a priority to the service.

In his words, “I have made it a deliberate policy to put your operations at the cornerstone of our activities”.

“My understanding is that you are critical stakeholders for us, it is through your activities that we can report our own activities, and it is, therefore, in our interest that we do everything to ensure that your companies and businesses prosper”, he added.

“It is not all the time that Customs Officers are overzealous in implementation of the law; most of the time, they keep in their mind the basic objectives behind these entities”, he noted.

“It is the intention of the government through enterprises to boost foreign exchange for Nigeria and its economy, create jobs for Nigerians, and of course, to enhance Nigeria’s economic development, and this is why a number of concessions, a number of waivers have been granted to free zone operators”, he emphasised.

The stakeholders congratulated the Customs Boss on his appointment while also raising issues of concern on the operations of the Free Trade Zones and factories under excise control.

In response, the Ag. CGC revealed that a Committee has been set up to address issues of concern.

“I have set up a committee consisting of representatives of enterprises, The Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and Oil and Gas Authority, working with representatives from my Office to look into all the areas of concern”.

While appreciating the Ag. CGC, for his visit, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ahmadu Shauibu, highlighted some Command achievements.

“At our level, since we came in, we have brought in about 18 factories under excise control”, he said.

The Ag. CGC charged Officers of the command to understand the importance of their operations and activities to Nigeria’s economic development.

He rounded off his visit with a tour of facilities at the Command.