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Tag: NAQS

  • NAQS pledges support for national single window project

    NAQS pledges support for national single window project

    Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has said it will support the National Single Window (NSW) Project, an initiative to simplify port clearing processes and stimulating economic growth.

     This is part of government’s efforts to improve trade facilitation, increase revenue, and enhance national security.

    Comptroller General of NAQS, Vincent Isegbe, spoke during a meeting with Head of the secretariat and members of Project Management Office of NSW at NAQS  in Abuja.

    Isegbe promised the project team of NAQS’s cooperation and called on agencies to align with policies that promote ease of doing business. He stressed importance of defining and respecting roles of all agencies involved in trade facilitation.

    He said NAQS implemented Export Certification Value Chain (ECVC) for 30 commodities to simplify the export process, creating opportunities for stakeholders and youth in the export sector to boost foreign exchange earnings.

    He added that NAQS introduced electronic certification processes to facilitate business operations. It ranked top among 36 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the 90-Day RRA PEBEC ranking for ease of doing business.

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    He highlighted the automation of phytosanitary certification through ePhyto system, which allows exporters to apply for certifications from anywhere in the world, ensuring transparency and integrity.

    Isegbe said Nigerians should engage ECVC and take advantage of opportunities in export.

    Head of Project Secretariat for NSW, Tola Fakolade,  and project co-lead, Pius Anyiador, noted benefits of NSW, including high  revenue, foreign investment, higher trade, and automation to boost efficiency.

  • NAQS to clampdown on smugglers, hoarders

    NAQS to clampdown on smugglers, hoarders

    Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has begun a  crackdown on smuggling and hoarding of agricultural commodities to support efforts at  stabilising prices.

    It said, in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, it would enhance surveillance and control at entry and exit points.

    Acting Comptroller General, Dr Godwin  Audu, urged the public to report suspicious activities related to hoarding or smuggling of commodities.

    Audu said the action is part of the agency’s mandate to regulate handling of products, ensuring they are safe for consumption and available at fair prices.

    In line with the administration’s renewed hope agenda, he said the agency is committed to ensuring Nigerians have more food.

    He said: ‘’… Food security is a concern for governments, and we are committed to ensuring agricultural commodities are not smuggled out of the country…

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    ‘’We believe our efforts to clamp down on smuggling will stabilise food prices and promote transparency and fairness in the supply chain.

    ‘’Officers are working in borders and control posts, conducting inspections, and monitoring to ensure no commodity is exported…’’

    ‘’This initiative reflects a comprehensive approach to tackling some of the recent challenges facing the agricultural sector and aims to ensure food security and promote sustainable development’’.

  • NAQS promises zero rejection of agro export

    NAQS promises zero rejection of agro export

    Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has said it will ensure acceptance of Nigeria’s agro export in European Union countries.

    Acting Comptroller General, Dr. Godwin Audu, said NAQS will stick to EU guidelines for product export.

    Audu, in a statement by Media Communications and Strategies, Akanji Joshua, promised to look into the challenge of infrastructure and operational tools to ease their working condition.

    Audu, who unveiled an Operations and Enforcement Department for seamless operations and minimising seizure, urges stronger liaison with sister bodies and stakeholders.

    Read Also: NAQS promises to ease agricultural exports 

    Announcing over 100 officers as Assistant Superintendent of Quarantine I (ASQ I), Audu said adherence to the Act establishing the agency and conversing with International Standards will promote ease of doing business.

    He noted human capital development will be a priority and called on employees to reposition the agency for better service.

    Furthermore, he reminded them of his open policy to give room for innovatiion, stressing the development will contribute in growing the agency.

  • NAQS promises to ease agricultural exports 

    NAQS promises to ease agricultural exports 

    • From Juliana Agbo, Abuja

    The Acting Comptroller-General, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr Godwin Audu, has promised to ease the  export of agricultural produce.

     Audu stated this after taking over the leadership of NAQS in Abuja.

    The Acting Comptroller-General  took over the affairs of the agency from the pioneer Comptroller-General, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, at the expiration of his tenure on December 12, last year, in accordance with the NAQS Establishment Act, which requires the authority be handed over to the next most senior Director in acting capacity.

    He noted that the agency is committed to enhancing the export environment by expediting inspection and certification services, streamlining applications, and automating quarantine procedures.

    He said in line with the Presidential Enabling Environment Council effort within the export environment in which the agency participates, the efforts aim to make life easier for agro-exporters and reduce the processing time for agricultural export documentation.

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    Audu, however, added that the agency will optimise operations at interstate control stations to minimise delays in the haulage of agro commodities.

    He further said collaborative efforts with stakeholders would address and eliminate illegal operators causing bottlenecks on federal highways.

    This commitment, he said, ensures the development of officers and the sustainability of equal opportunities for all personnel.