Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR

Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has promised that his administration is up and doing to enhance trade in the Northern region of the country, considering its strategic importance in boosting Nigeria’s economy and prosperity.

The CGC, who spoke about the current situation in the Niger Republic and how it affects trade in Nigeria, when he played host to the chairman of Arewa Economic Forum AEF, Ibrahim Shehu Dandakata at the Customs headquarters in Abuja, also said that “considering the significance of trade in Northern Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service finds it interesting to engage in trade talks, but can be achieved when there is absolute peace in the area.”

He assured the forum of Customs’ commitment to look into the matter of Inland Dry Ports IDPs in the north and consult the Federal Government to fast-track the process, adding that “Customs is willing to support the situation.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman, who spoke earlier, assured the Customs CG that the forum has solid support for him considering his notable commitment to enhance border security and trade facilitation in the North.

Dandakata emphasised that “his commitment to implementing policies that will improve the region is one hundred per cent absolute.”

The Chairman, who eulogised the former Comptroller-General of Customs, late Abdullahi Dikko for bringing numerous dividends to the region, expressed optimism that the current administration of CGC Adeniyi will exceed what the previous CGCs have done, “we raised an issue, and Mr. Adeniyi quickly swung into action on the matter, and we had a great response.” he added.

He also said: “We are talking about fiscal policies and entrenchment of a regime that will create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Northern Nigeria, most especially in the agricultural sector; therefore, what CGC Adeniyi is doing will be sustainable and far-reaching.”

During the meeting in the CGC’s office, the Chairman appreciated the CGC for taking progressive steps to make things better in the North, highlighting that “Nigeria now has a very responsive government, and AEF is proud to have a very responsive CGC.”

According to him, the idea behind visiting the Ag. CGC was to bring new ideas that will help his administration to succeed, adding that the Forum is looking forward to witnessing the enhancement of cross-border trade in Ilela, considering its magnitude in boosting the region’s economy.

He, however, pleaded with the Ag. CGC to look into the conditions of Inland Dry Ports in the North, which, according to him, “are essential in carrying out businesses in the region – and as it stands, they’re not functioning.”

The Chairman also seized the opportunity to invite the Ag. CGC for an Economic Summit slated to take place before the end of the year, assuring that the summit will revolve around creating awareness for people to invest in the North.

As regards the forum’s forthcoming summit, the CGC said that Customs will watch out for the Economic Summit to attend, adding that “there’s so much economic potential in the North, which, if revamped, will contribute to the development of the country’s economy.”