By ZAKAA LAZARUS, Abuja
In a move to strengthen bilateral relations, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has signed a Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA) with its Indian counterpart.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented the NCS during the signing ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
This agreement formed part of the engagements during the state visit by the Indian Prime Minister on 17 November 2024 at the State House, Abuja.
CGC Adeniyi described the CMAA as a milestone achievement, culminating from negotiations that began in 2016. He stated:
“The agreement is expected to enhance collaboration between customs administrations, streamline border clearance processes, and curb customs-related offenses. By facilitating the swift clearance of goods and reducing trade costs, the CMAA is set to bolster cross-border trade development and improve the enforcement of customs laws.”
Key provisions of the CMAA, as outlined in the MoU, include enforcement of customs laws by ensuring the accurate imposition of duties and taxes, verification processes through the facilitation of proper classification, valuation, and determination of goods’ origin, prevention and investigation by strengthening mechanisms to combat customs offenses.
Other items in the CMAA are information exchange through the establishment of robust channels for communication and mutual assistance, including providing expert witnesses where necessary.
The agreement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international trade partnerships while reinforcing the integrity and efficiency of its customs operations.
By collaborating with India on customs enforcement and trade facilitation, Nigeria aims to unlock new economic opportunities and deepen its global trade integration.
In another development, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made an unexpected visit to the ongoing construction site of officers’ residential accommodation at the Karu Customs Barracks in Abuja.
Adeniyi’s surprise visit followed the commissioning of the COWA Skills Acquisition Centre and was aimed at assessing the progress of the construction work and ensuring it adhered to the scheduled timelines. He also took the opportunity to inspect the quality of the work.
The CGC was accompanied by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Headquarters, ACG Isah Umar, ACG Baba Imama, the Secretary of Nigeria Customs Service Board, and other senior officers.
The inspection tour began with a visit to the first block of the construction project, located next to the Nigeria Customs Hospital in Karu. Adeniyi also inspected the development and maintenance of the Customs health facility.
During the visit to the Customs Hospital also in Karu, the CGC expressed concerns about the health facility and reiterated the commitment of NCS Management under his leadership to make the hospital more viable, citing the critical role of the facility to not only Customs Officers but the entire Karu community and its environs.
