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Tag: customs

  • Customs seizes N1.8b expired drugs at Apapa port

    Customs seizes N1.8b expired drugs at Apapa port

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday intercepted expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.8billion  illegally smuggled into the Lagos Port.

    The Comptroller-General of the service, Adewale Adeniyi, who broke the news at a briefing in Lagos, said the illicit drugs include tramadol, codeine and other pharmaceuticals without registration numbers from regulatory authorities.

    He said if allowed to exit the ports, the drugs would undermine the security of our  nation by influencing the behaviour of individuals involved in criminal activities, often fueled by illicit drugs such as tramadol.

    The drugs, aside from being expired, he said, some of the seized items were imported without undergoing the regulatory requirements, such as obtaining a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number.

    Read Also: Scholars, experts eulogise new book ‘Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management’

    His words: “We also have containers that were seized due to false declarations, ostensibly to evade duty payments, which amounts to smuggling. In total, 12 containers have been seized. These importations are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

    “One of the seized containers, a 1x40ft container with box number SEGU4339917, was declared to contain baclofen tablets, metoprolol succinate, atenolol gloves, losartan potassium, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin calcium, esomeprazole magnesium, diclofenac sodium topical gel, valsartan tablets, losartan potassium, and timolol maleate.

  • Customs releases guidelines for implementation of zero duty rate on food

    Customs releases guidelines for implementation of zero duty rate on food

    …insists 75% of imported food be sold through commodity exchange

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, August 14, released guidelines for the implementation of zero duty rate for some basic food items.

    The guidelines were contained in a press statement the Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi issued through the National Public Relations, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada.

    The service said: “To participate in the zero-duty importation of basic food items, a company must be incorporated in Nigeria and have been operational for at least five years.”

    NCS also insisted it must have filed annual returns and financial statements and paid taxes and statutory payroll obligations for the past five years.

    Companies importing husked brown rice, grain sorghum, or millet need to own a milling plant with a capacity of at least 100 tons per day, operate for at least four years, and have enough farmland for cultivation.

    According to the statement, those importing maize, wheat, or beans must be agricultural companies with sufficient farmland or feed mills/agro-processing companies with an out-grower network for cultivation.

    The NCS said the basic food items eligible for the zero percent duty rate are as follows: “S/N      Item Description                ECOWAS CET H.S. Code Previous Duty Rate + Levy           New Duty Rate

    I.                             Husked Brown Rice         1006.20.00.00     30%        0%

    II.                            Grain Sorghum – Other  1007.90.00.00     5%          0%

    III.                           Millet – Other     1008.29.00.00     5%          0%

    IV.                          Maize – Other    1005.90.00.00     5%          0%

    V.                            Wheat – Other   1001.19.00.00     20%        0%

    VI.                          Beans    0713.31.90.00     20%        0%.”

    Adeniyi recalled that drawing from the Presidential directives aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by Nigerians due to high prices of essential food items, the NCS is pleased to announce that the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun has approved the regulation for the implementation of a Zero Percent Duty Rate (0%) and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on selected basic food items. He said this policy is effective from 15th July 2024 and will remain in force until 31st December 2024.

    Read Also: Customs pledge to enhance made-in-Nigeria goods export

    The Customs boss explained that this measure aims to mitigate the high cost of food items in the Nigerian market by making essential commodities more affordable for citizens.

     The initiative, he said, is part of the government’s broader efforts to address food security challenges and ensure that basic foodstuffs are accessible to all Nigerians.

    NCS noted that however, it is important to emphasise that while this temporary measure is intended to address current hardships, it does not undermine the long-term strategies put in place to safeguard local Farmers and protect Manufacturers.

    The statement noted that the implementation of this policy will focus on addressing the national supply gap.

    It further revealed that the Federal Ministry of Finance will periodically provide the NCS with a list of importers and their approved quotas to facilitate the importation of these basic food items within the framework of this policy.

    The policy, said NCS, requires that at least 75% of imported items be sold through recognised commodities exchanges, with all transactions and storage recorded.

    The Service said the companies must keep comprehensive records of all related activities, which the government can request for compliance verification.

    NCS insisted: “If a company fails to meet its obligations under the import authorisation, it will lose all waivers and must pay the applicable VAT, levies, and import duties.

    “This penalty also applies if the company exports the imported items in their original or processed form outside Nigeria.”

    The statement noted that the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi remains committed to supporting government policies to enhance food security and promote economic stability.

     The Service urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully in implementing this initiative for the benefit of all Nigerians.

  • Customs pledge to enhance made-in-Nigeria goods export

    Customs pledge to enhance made-in-Nigeria goods export

    The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has pledged to further facilitate exportation of Made-in-Nigeria products as part of the service’s ongoing efforts to catalyse economic growth through manufacturing.

    Adeniyi made the pledge at the 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Apapa Branch, on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the AGM had as theme: “Trade Facilitation and Revenue Generation: Option for an Import-Dependent Economy”.

    Adeniyi said the NCS would support the growth of the manufacturing sector by facilitating the export of locally manufactured goods through the creation of dedicated export lanes.

    “We will simplify export procedures to boost the competitiveness of goods made in Nigeria,” the Customs Comptroller General said.

    He added that the NCS would also streamline import processes for raw materials by implementing fast-tracked clearance procedures for essential manufacturing inputs.

    He said the service would collaborate with stakeholders and would reward compliant manufacturers.

    “This will reduce delays, and cost and improve production efficiency only for compliant manufacturers.

    “Manufacturers demonstrating consistent compliance will benefit from expedited processes, reduced inspections, and potential inclusion in programmes like the Authorised Economic Operator Scheme,” he said.

    The Customs Comptroller-General added that the NCS would develop whistleblowing policies and create an integrated database of manufacturing companies with other agencies to aid proper regulation.

    The MAN President, Francis Meshioye, called on the Lagos State Government to reconstruct roads in the industrial cluster, consolidate taxes and merge  regulatory agencies to reduce the burdens on manufacturers.

    Meshioye urged the Lagos State Government to appoint representatives of the association to government boards to aid in the contextualisation of policies.

    “MAN’s advocacy in the past year, including the suspension of manufacturing-averse policies such as the Price Verification System, 10 per cent tax on single-use plastics, and sachet manufacturing drinks, has been impactful.

    “And our advocacy resulted in the Federal Government’s approval of the import duty waiver for importation of CNG-powered manufacturing materials.

    The Chairman, MAN, Apapa Branch, Mr Raphael Danilola, noted the challenges that manufacturers in the Apapa district faced, including the risk of bad roads.

    Read Also: Customs CG identifies insecurity, porous borders as challenges

    Danilola noted that some manufacturers had relocated from the Apapa Industrial Cluster due to the impediment of bad roads in the transportation of products.

    “Our immediate appeal goes to the Lagos State Government for very urgent intervention, including the rehabilitation of the road networks and drainages within the industrial areas, especially the Amuwo Odofin and Kirikiri Industrial areas with the flooding period in mind,” he said.

    Danilola also called on the Lagos State Government to curb the activities of non-state actors, commonly known as Agberos, who, he said, increasingly extorted manufacturers on the pretext of tax collection.

    “The non-state actors remain a threat to the survival of manufacturing in Lagos State.

    “We enjoin the government to exercise the political will to curb the activities of Agberos who contribute nothing but forcefully extort manufacturers in the state,” he said.

    (NAN)

  • Apapa Customs raked in N1.23tr revenue in 7 months

    Apapa Customs raked in N1.23tr revenue in 7 months

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Apapa Port Command said, yesterday, that it generated N1.227 trillion revenue between January and July this year

    The command also collected N201.85 billion for the month of July this year, being its  highest monthly collection in the history of the Service.

    The Area Controller of the Command, Babatunde Olomu who disclosed this yesterday in Lagos, said he is committed to surpassing the existing records of revenue collection.

    According to him, the collected revenue within the seven months of this year, is higher than the total revenue collected for the twelve months of 2023

    He attributed the success to the implementation of the Comptroller General of Customs thrust of time release study to facilitate trade without delay.

    This, according to him, yielded the outstanding results, which reflects in the command’s revenue collection.

    Read Also: ‘Customs to implement food import duty waiver soon’

    While expressing confidence in the command’s ability to do more, Olomu said: “I am optimistic about the possibility of beating this record as we look forward to surpassing it in months to come.

    “For the first seven months of 2024, that is January to July this year, the Apapa Area Command generated a total of N1,227,431,323,016.24.

    “What has been generated so far for seven months is above the total collected revenue by the command in 2023, which was N1,172,414,793,960.32.

     “In clear terms, our 2024 seven months collection is above last year’s twelve months total collection. Worthy of note is the interventions from the Tariff and Trade Department, which has contributed immensely to the successes achieved thus far.

    “Our compliance desk, dispute resolution team, Valuation, PCA, CIU and other units aimed at promoting seamless trade have been reinvigorated with daily,weekly and monthly evaluation by my office to oversee the progress we are making.”

    Olomu added that the command is committed to doing more in line with the directives and motivating examples of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

    “Apapa Command handles the highest volume of trade for the NCS, collects the highest revenue, and therefore is saddled with a higher degree of expectation from the management of the service and the government,” he said.

    He advised Apapa port users to embrace only legitimate trade and assured that the command is more alive to its responsibilities to detect all forms of concealment and plug any avenue for revenue leakage.

  • ‘Customs to implement food import duty waiver soon’

    ‘Customs to implement food import duty waiver soon’

    The Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, said the service will begin implementation of the duty waiver on imported foods in a week’s time.

    Adeniyi made this known on yesterday in Abuja during a combined news conference by the heads of security agencies and Service Chiefs, convened by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa at the Defence Headquarters.

    He said that the guidelines for the implementation were still being worked out at the Ministry of Finance, saying it would begin as soon as the guidelines were ready.

    Adeniyi appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience, adding that efforts were ongoing to address the demands of the protesters, especially concerning the food inflation and cost of living.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu had directed the suspension of import duties and taxes on essential food stuffs to reduce inflation.

    Read Also: Protests: No police, military officer fired live ammunition – IGP

    “I like to let Nigerians know that there has been a lot that is going on to address these issues that are related to ameliorating this situation.

    “This is through a mixture of fiscal policies of government and a number of strategic interventions from the government.

    “The Federal Government’s effort as part of intervention is the distribution of strategic food items which was released from the national grain reserves about a month ago.

    “This was released to all states of the federation. We also recall that a number of the food items that are consumed in Nigeria are imported.

    “Better parts of the components are imported and importations are not done of the shelf, it takes some time before they are done.

    “So, one of the things that the president has done is to reduce the cost, to push on the effects of the cost inflation by suspending customs duties and taxes on imported food items for a period of time.

    “We believe that when this is implemented, it will help to bring down the price of food items in the market”.

    According to him, the Nigeria Customs is committed to the implementation of this particular fiscal policy as enunciated by government.

    “But I also like to remind Nigerians that we need to be very, very careful in implementation of this and this is why the guidelines for implementation is being meticulously worked out at the Ministry of Finance,” he said.

    Adeniyi said there was need to understand what the intervention implied for the local markets, adding that the government was trying to address the interest of all the stakeholders.

    He added that most of these food items that enjoyed the duty waivers and concessions were also being cultivated by Nigerian farmers, hence the need to balance interests.

    “There is the issue of striking a balance between the long term interest of Nigerian farmers and stakeholders who are involved in the production of these items and the short term interest of addressing food inflation.

    “So the guidelines are being worked out at the Ministry of Finance and I can assure you that within the next one week these guidelines will be ready and Nigeria customs will begin implementation of these particular fiscal policies,” he added.

  • Implementation of tax waiver on food items begins next week, says Customs

    Implementation of tax waiver on food items begins next week, says Customs

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will begin implementation of weaver of taxes on import food items and drugs by next week.

    The Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeyini, announced this on Tuesday August 6, at a joint press briefing by service chiefs and heads of security agencies at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

    The Customs boss said the delay in the implementation of the tax weaver after President Bola Tinubu directive last week was due to delay in the implementation guidelines from the Ministry of Finance.

    Adeniyi said: “One of the things that the President has done is to reduce the cost of food to reduce the effects of inflation by suspending customs duties and taxes on imported food items for a period of time. We believe that when this is implemented it will help to reduce prices of food items in the market. 

    “The Nigeria Customs is committed to the implementation of this particular fiscal policy as enunciated by the government. But we need to be very careful in implementation of this policy, and this is why the guidelines for implementation are being meticulously worked out at the Ministry of Finance. 

    “We must address the interest of all the stakeholders, because most of these food items are going to enjoy duty waivers and concessions are also being cultivated locally. And so there is the interest to strike.

    Read Also: Customs suspends import duties on essential food items

    “There is the issue of striking a balance between the interest, the long term interest of nigerian farmers, nigerian stakeholders who are involved in the production of these items and the short term interest of addressing food inflation.

    “So the guidelines are being worked out at the Ministry of Finance and I can assure you that within the next one week these guidelines will be ready and Nigeria customs would begin implementation of these particular fiscal policies.”

    The Customs boss therefore urged Nigerians to be a little patient for the policy to take off, assuring that prices of food items would come down.

  • Customs rakes in N2.74tr in six months

    Customs rakes in N2.74tr in six months

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday, said it has generated N2.74 trillion in the first half of 2024.

    The amount, according to the Service, is eight per cent higher than the N2.54 trillion target and marking a 127 per cent increase over the 2023 revenue.

    Findings have shown that N1.395 trillion was collected for the second quarter, exceeding the quarterly target by 10 per cent and representing a 131 per cent increase over second quarter of 2023.

    In a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, NCS said “The key initiatives contributing to this success include the e-auction platform, which generated over N1.34 billion, and the 90-day duty payment window for uncustomed vehicles, adding N4.37 billion to the revenue.”

    These measures, the image maker said, “have significantly enhanced transparency, compliance, and efficiency in Customs processes, underscoring the NCS’s commitment to excellence.

    “The Service intensified its anti-smuggling operations in the first half of 2024, resulting in notable achievements.

    “From January to June 2024, the NCS made 2,442 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 25,520,652,942.87, which is 203 per cent higher than the DPV of seizures in the first half of 2023.

    “In the second quarter of 2024, the NCS made 1,334 seizures with a DPV of N17,564,384,378, representing a 121 per cent increase over the first quarter of 2024.

    “The top items seized include wildlife items, vehicles, arms and ammunition, foreign rice, pharmaceuticals, and narcotics, with 32 suspects in custody.”

    Trade facilitation, Maiwada said, remains a core priority for the NCS. He said, for instance, that in the first half of 2024, the Service processed 620,467 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs), reflecting a reduction of approximately 39 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

    He said despite this decline, the NCS has implemented several key initiatives to simplify and expedite customs processes. These include reinforcement of NCS automation procedures, capacity-building programs for officers, and public-private partnerships to enhance customs clearance efficiency.

    These efforts, according to him, are crucial for enhancing Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and supporting economic growth.

    Read Also: Tinubu addressing demands, no need for protest – FEC

    Despite the achievements, the National PRO said the NCS faced several challenges in the first half of 2024, including significant fluctuations in the exchange rate, a lower volume of transactions, low compliance levels among importers and exporters, and periodic downtime. “These challenges, Maiwada said, impacted the consistency of revenue collection and overall operational efficiency.

    To address these challenges and enhance revenue collection, he said, the NCS implemented several strategies, including real-time system auditing, post-clearance audits, verification of documents for the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), ensuring compliance with import guidelines, and the implementation of a pilot test for the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) scheme.

    Additionally, the NCS has recently introduced the Advance Ruling System (ARS), a legally binding decision on classification, valuation, and rules of origin before the importation or exportation of goods.

    Other pragmatic measures implemented to increase revenue, despite a drop in cargo throughput, included establishing a robust framework for dispute resolution, launching Operation Whirlwind, reshuffling strategic-level officers and robust stakeholders’ engagement.

    The CGC commends all officers and men of the NCS for their diligence and commitment. He also acknowledges the stakeholders who have played significant roles in achieving this performance.

    He also reaffirmed the NCS’s dedication to supporting the realisation of government policies for a better Nigeria.

  • Customs launches manhunt for killers of officer in Kebbi

    Customs launches manhunt for killers of officer in Kebbi

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command has launched a manhunt for killers of an Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Dabo Umar.

    Umar was killed by unknown armed men last Thursday, in Koko-Besse Local Government Area.

    The spokesperson of the command, SC Mohammed Tajuddeen-Salisu, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi yesterday.

    ”With deep regret, we announce a distressing incident that occurred at our Koko-Besse patrol base on July 25, 2024, at 9a.m.

    ”A group of hoodlums attacked the patrol base, destroying properties and targeting our officers in contest to the recent boost to anti-smuggling activities in the area.

    ”The armed men, after causing mayhem to the base, trailed and attacked two of our officers, one was shot and the other abducted.

    Read Also: Customs collects N2.74tr revenue in six months

    ”Unfortunately, Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Dabo Umar, lost his life, while Superintendent of Customs Babagana Abba-Kabiru was abducted and a hefty ransom was demanded for his release,” he said.

    Tajuddeen-Salisu added that the deceased officer’s body was retrieved and conveyed to Kaduna for burial according to Islamic rites.

    ”The command has launched a manhunt for the killers and abductors of the officers,” he said.

    Tajuddeen-Salisu, quoted the Customs Area Controller,  Iheanacho Ernest-Ojike, commiserating with the family of the deceased and prayed for the release of the abducted.

    ”The controller has sent a delegation from the command and prayed to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss,” he prayed.

    He urged the public to provide credible information that might lead to the safe return of the abducted officer, adding that other relevant security services were also involved in the matter.

    ”We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the affected officers and the deceased,” the PRO said.

  • Customs collects N2.74tr revenue in six months

    Customs collects N2.74tr revenue in six months

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it collected N2.7 trillion in revenue in the first six months of this year, being the first half (FH 2024).

    This was contained in a press statement the Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, issued through the national public relations officer, Chief Superintendent Abdullahi Maiwada on July 29.

    He said the Service surpassed the N2.54trillion target for the period under review by 8%.

    Adeniyi said: “The NCS has achieved remarkable success in the first half of 2024. With a half-year revenue target of N2.54 trillion, the Service has collected N2.74 trillion, surpassing the target by 8% and marking a 127% increase over the previous year’s revenue.”

    The statement recalled that N1.395 trillion was collected for the second quarter, exceeding the quarterly target by 10% and representing a 131% increase over Q2 2023.

    According to the statement, key initiatives contributing to this success include the e-auction platform, which generated over N1.34 billion, and the 90-day duty payment window for uncustomed vehicles, adding N4.37 billion to the revenue.

    The statement further noted that these measures have significantly enhanced transparency, compliance, and efficiency in customs processes, underscoring the NCS’s commitment to excellence.

    The Service, according to him, intensified its anti-smuggling operations in the first half of 2024, resulting in notable achievements.

    The Comptroller-General said, from January to June 2024, the NCS made 2,442 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 25,520,652,942.87, which is 203% higher than the DPV of seizures in the first half of 2023. In the second quarter of 2024, the NCS made 1,334 seizures with a DPV of NGN 17,564,384,378, representing a 121% increase over the first quarter of 2024. The top items seized include wildlife items, vehicles, arms and ammunition, foreign rice, pharmaceuticals, and narcotics, with 32 suspects in custody.

    The service also said trade facilitation remains a core priority for the NCS. In the first half of 2024, the Service processed 620,467 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs), reflecting a reduction of approximately 39% compared to the same period in 2023. Despite this decline, the NCS has implemented several key initiatives to simplify and expedite customs processes.

    Continuing, the statement said, “These include reinforcement of NCS automation procedures, capacity-building programs for officers, and public-private partnerships to enhance customs clearance efficiency. These efforts are crucial for enhancing Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and supporting economic growth.

    “Despite the achievements, the NCS faced several challenges in the first half of 2024, including significant fluctuations in the exchange rate, a lower volume of transactions, low compliance levels among importers and exporters, and periodic downtime.

    Read Also: NEPC, Customs engage stakeholders on informal cross-border trade in Saki

    “These challenges impacted the consistency of revenue collection and overall operational efficiency. To address these challenges and enhance revenue collection, the NCS implemented several strategies, including real-time system auditing, post-clearance audits, verification of documents for the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), ensuring compliance with import guidelines, and the implementation of a pilot test for the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) scheme.

    “Additionally, the NCS has recently introduced the Advance Ruling System (ARS), a legally binding decision on classification, valuation, and rules of origin before the importation or exportation of goods. Other pragmatic measures implemented to increase revenue, despite a drop in cargo throughput, included establishing a robust framework for dispute resolution, launching Operation Whirlwind, reshuffling strategic-level officers and robust stakeholders’ engagement.

    “The CGC commends all officers and men of the NCS for their diligence and commitment. He also acknowledges the stakeholders who have played significant roles in achieving this performance. He further reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s dedication to supporting the realisation of government policies for a better Nigeria.”

  • NEPC, Customs engage stakeholders on informal cross-border trade in Saki

    NEPC, Customs engage stakeholders on informal cross-border trade in Saki

    The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have concluded a stakeholders’ engagement focused on mainstreaming informal cross-border trade in Saki.

     Held at the Westland Hotel in Saki, Oyo State, the event aimed to enhance economic development through organized trade practices and data collection.

    Representing the NEPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Director, Trade Information Department, Dr. Joe Itah, emphasised the crucial role of border towns in Nigeria as trade hubs. 

    Ayeni stated: “Border towns are important trade hubs which should be more organised to bring benefits to the country.”

    Read Also: FG orders varsities to protect students, staff over planned protest

    Under the theme “Mainstreaming Informal Cross-Border Trade and Data Collection for Enhanced Economic Development,” the engagement provided a platform for stakeholders to share experiences related to cross-border trade. Addressing the issue of poor road conditions in Saki, Itah remarked, “We have seen the deplorable state of the road and we know that the government is doing something positive to ensure the road is fixed to serve the people. When we go back, we shall talk about what the country is missing with the state of the road and something positive will be done.”

    Itah also highlighted the importance of educating the public on the government’s data capturing operations regarding cross-border trade. He reassured attendees, saying, “We are not coming as tax collectors, we are not coming to take away jobs from your people. Instead, we want to enhance what you do.”

    Discussing the broader goals of the initiative, Itah said, “We are here to make food available for the people and out of that, they should have something left for export. The Federal and State Governments are aware we are here. We plead that the traditional rulers sensitise the people to cooperate with us. We have some small papers to fill, we need to make the people know how to earn hard currency and have enough to send their children to school.”

    He noted the strategic importance of Saki, explaining, “This is not the first place we are visiting, this is the second place. We were at Kebbi where we visited four border towns. Then because of the importance of Saki, that is why we are here.”

    Assistant Controller Mr. Elijah Kayode, representing the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, emphasized the importance of collaboration between NEPC and NCS. He said, “The collaboration between the NEPC and the Nigerian Customs Service is aimed at doubling the country’s foreign reserve earnings. This is why the Nigerian Customs Service is in collaboration with the NEPC for exports to double and increase foreign exchange, and besides, statistics records are very important for us to know our volume of trade in a year.”

    Kayode further highlighted the need for proper documentation and record-keeping to generate accurate statistical data from informal cross-border trade. “Without proper documentation or record keeping, there will be no accurate statistical data generated from the informal cross-border trade,” he said.

    Addressing a common issue, he noted, “Truth be told, many people are not aware while some feign ignorance of the export laws that guide importation into and exportation of goods out of the country and what would accrue to them and the country as a whole.”

    The traditional ruler of Saki, the Okere of Saki, His Imperial Majesty Oba Khalid Olabisi Oyedepo III, expressed his support.

    He stated: “God has created us here, we have the opportunity and we have to seize that opportunity and use it to better ourselves and the system as a whole.” Reflecting on the historical significance of the Okerete border trade route, he recalled, “We have been clamouring for this Okerete Border Post right from when I was in secondary school. That route has been the ancient route where trade started. People from Mali, Timbuktu prefer coming through Okerete to going to Lagos because it’s easier for them.”

    He noted improvements in Saki’s economy, saying, “When the people say the economy is not improving, I say the economy here is actually improving. It may not be as fast as expected, but it’s improving because five to ten years ago, you will not see warehouses in Saki but all over the place today you will see warehouses, that show that something is happening.”

    The monarch lamented infrastructural deficits, particularly in power supply and road conditions. “I do tell our people that the business they do is cross border business, a lot is going on but not duly documented. I want to believe that with the intervention of NEPC and Nigerian Customs the trade here will be duly documented for proper data collection,” he said.

    The event also included visits to various loading points in Saki, including Isale Oja Sango loading point, Up Road Chikanda unit, Okerete Trans-Border Market road, the proposed site for Okerete loading point, Harulite Ebinola Global Resources at Sango-Kolawole road Saki, Alh. Akeem Owonikoko House (Agricultural Products), Sherifat (Plastic and others) in Abote Area, and Iya Muri Warehouse (General goods).