Customs Strengthens Partnership With IPMAN, NMDPRA To Combat Petroleum Smuggling

 

 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on 3 December 2024, hosted representatives of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Dangote Refineries at its Abuja headquarters.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, was represented at the meeting by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation, Timi Bomodi. Bomodi stated that the meeting aimed to address the illegal exportation of petroleum products from Nigeria.

He emphasised the critical role of collaboration between the NCS, NMDPRA, and IPMAN in curbing this menace and highlighted the importance of geospatial surveillance and ground operations under the NCS’ Operation Whirlwind.

“With eyes in the sky, we ensure integrity within the system. From the point of refinery production to designated filling stations, we can monitor and prevent diversion. A central filing system further enables us to maintain records and curtail illegal activities,” Bomodi said.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, described the initiative as a call to duty, underlining its importance for national economic stability.

“This is about ensuring that products meant for our citizens are delivered promptly. We are committed to supporting legitimate trade, but those exploiting the backdoor will face stringent measures. We are steadily closing in on this challenge,” Ejibunu declared.

The President of IPMAN, Abubakar Shettima, raised concerns about the seizure of trucks and the closure of certain filling stations. Nonetheless, he pledged IPMAN’s support for the NCS’ anti-smuggling efforts, especially in border areas.

“Smugglers must face prosecution to protect Nigeria’s economy and ensure growth, despite the challenges faced by oil marketers,” Shettima remarked.

The meeting, which included an interactive session, concluded with an agreement to reconvene on 10 December 2024. The next session will involve the Comptroller-General of Customs and other senior officials to further discuss sustainable solutions.

Meanwhile, the World Customs Organisation (WCO), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), organised a five-day workshop starting from Thursday, 28 November 2024, aimed at building the capacity of Customs operatives across African countries in the area of rules of origin.

Speaking to journalists shortly after declaring the workshop open, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, DCG Caroline Niagwan, noted that the two international organisations had formed an alliance to provide technical assistance. This includes training initiatives to support Customs officers across the African region.

DCG Niagwan stated: “The European Union and the World Customs Organisation signed a partnership agreement for a comprehensive programme that would foster the full implementation and application of the rules of origin in Africa.

“This programme, known as the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa Programme, enhances the capacity of Africa and supports the implementation and application of rules of origin to boost intra-African trade. That is the whole rationale.”

Faith Mathenge, a Rules of Origin expert and facilitator for the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa Programme, reiterated that the programme was designed to build capacity for African countries in rules of origin, which she described as crucial for facilitating trade.

She affirmed the WCO’s commitment to providing continuous support to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) through training initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency of its officers.

Mathenge revealed that nearly 26 countries sent representatives to participate in the workshop and encouraged attendees to pay close attention to the modern technicalities associated with rules of origin.

She commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his unwavering support for capacity building. “I must commend the CGC for prioritising capacity building, which is the bedrock that will enable his officers to implement procedures that facilitate trade and enhance compliance,” she said.

The workshop underscored the importance of collaboration in fostering intra-African trade and strengthening the role of Customs officers in implementing rules of origin effectively.