From left: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola presents the WCO Merit Award, signed by the Secretary General of the World Customs Oganisation, Ian Saunders to the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko at the 2024 International Customs Day held Friday, January 26, 2024 in Lagos.

The World Customs Organisation WCO, has conferred a Merit Award on the Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Mohammed Bello- Koko for ‘rendering exceptional services to the international Customs community’.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director has said that the deployment of a Port Community System PCS, which will pave way for the emergence of a Single National Window is germane to achieving port efficiency and ultimately competitiveness of the seaports.

The conferment of the Merit Award was part of activities to mark the celebration of the International Customs Day, 2024, which held in Lagos, Friday with the theme: ‘Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose’.

The award signed by the Secretary General of the WCO, Mr. Ian Saunders, was presented to Bello- Koko by the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola CON and assisted by Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR on Friday January 26, 2024.

Bello-Koko had since his appointment as MD/ CEO of the NPA championed increased collaboration and cooperation with other relevant stakeholders and partners, especially the Nigeria Customs Service. This resulted in the creation of dedicated Customs commands and Export Processing Terminals at various seaports licensed and certified by the NPA as part of measures to grow Nigeria’s non-oil exports.

Speaking during a good will message, which preceded the announcement and presentation of the award, Bello-Koko noted that the ongoing cooperation and collaboration between the NPA and Customs is already beginning to yield results, as it has led to reduction in the dwell time of cargo and waiting time of vessels that call at the seaports; and ultimately reduced congestion.

He also disclosed that this collaboration has further boosted the commitment of the NPA towards the deployment of the Port Community System being worked out with the support of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and technical guidance of the International Maritime Organisation IMO.

Bello-Koko argued that the deployment of the PCS, which is currently at its final stage is germane for the nation’s seaports to achieve a high level of efficiency and competitiveness, as it would lay the foundation for attainment of the long talked about National Single Window platform.

He further reiterated the commitment of the NPA under his watch to reposition and position the Lekki Deep Seaport as a transshipment hub to service the maritime needs of landlocked African countries, adding that the collaboration between NPA and Customs would in no small measures, help to achieve this objective.

“The theme for the 2024 International Customs Day: ‘Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose’ is apt for all of us at the NPA. We’re already recording gains in our collaboration with Customs, which has led to reduction in cargo dwell time and waiting time of vessels and ultimately reduced port congestion.

“This collaboration further boosts our commitment to the deployment of Port Community System with the support of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy with the technical guidance of the IMO. The PCS is germane in promoting efficiency and making our ports competitive, as it clears the ground for the deployment of Single National Window.

“Our commitment to reposition and position the Lekki Deep Seaport as a transshipment hub to service the maritime needs of our landlocked African neighbours will also benefit immensely from the collaboration between the NPA and Customs. This alignment of vision portends great fortunes for trade facilitation and national prosperity. Maximising the opportunities inherent in our littoral assets as a maritime nation heavily depends on this collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service”, Bello-Koko said.