Joseph Bakare
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ondo/Ekiti Area Command has reaffirmed it’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment, aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and promoting economic growth.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Morenikeji Bewaji made this assertion while hosting delegates from the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) at the Command’s headquarters in Akure on Monday, 18 November 2024.
According to a press statement signed on 23 November 2024, by Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Herbert Dzungwenen, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Comptroller Bewaji praised APFFLON for its vital role in Nigeria’s supply chain and logistics sector, describing freight forwarders as indispensable to achieving seamless trade facilitation and advancing Nigeria’s global economic goals.
She noted that the association has been a formidable partner to the Nigeria Customs Service, stressing that the dialogue further strengthens their shared commitment to streamlining trade processes and ensuring compliance with international standards.
Bewaji highlighted several key initiatives undertaken by the Command to support the ease of doing business, which include; Regular consultations with key players in the trade ecosystem to address challenges and foster collaboration, continuous training for Customs officers and stakeholders, and a strong commitment to publishing clear guidelines to eliminate uncertainties in trade operations.
The CAC urged stakeholders to prioritise training, innovation, and efficiency to foster a competitive trading environment.
She expressed gratitude to the delegation and assured them of the Command’s unwavering support for the federal government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative.
Earlier, APFFLON National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, who led the delegation, highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between Customs and freight forwarders to remove trade barriers and boost economic growth.
Ogunojemite stressed the importance of partnerships in driving trade facilitation and achieving mutual goals.
The statement noted that the meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration for the benefit of Nigeria’s economy.