From right: Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, presents a plaque to the Director, UN- Habitat, Dr. Raymond Edoh during a visit to the Customs headquarters, Abuja, recently.

In line with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), efforts to curb smuggling across the globe, acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has assured that the Service under his watch, will implement every necessary action against saboteurs of Nigeria’s economy by crippling their illegitimate business of smuggling.

UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for developing urban policies and translating them into action to create sustainable cities and promote viable urban development and adequate shelter for all.

The CGC restated this in Abuja Tuesday, when he played host to the Ambassadors of the UN-Habitat, led by Dr. Raymond Edoh, at the Customs headquarters, Abuja.

The CGC said: “On behalf of the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service, I wish to inform you that we will partner with you in this campaign, and we will grant you all forms of support you may need to carry out this campaign — and I want to assign one of our amiable DCGs, Abba Kura, to work with you closely.”

He appreciated the UN team, which travelled from afar to intimate the Nigeria Customs Service of their campaign against smuggling, which, according to him, the Service has already started yielding positive results in suppressing the menace of smuggling.

The CGC also welcomed the proposal by the Director, UN- Habitat, Dr. Raymond Edoh, to engage officers and men of the Service in capacity building to enhance their understanding of digital literacy skills, adding that the Service has already started embracing technology to advance its work by introducing related courses to officers.

The CGC appreciated the collaborative effort between the Nigeria Customs Service and UN-Habitat and believes that the collaboration signifies a commitment to tackling smuggling and enhancing trade facilitation in the nation, setting the stage for a more prosperous future.

The CGC said, “What we’re trying to do is to raise a modern Customs Service through partnering with stakeholders to achieve our goals because we value partnership, and I am happy that you extended your hands of collaboration to work with us.”

He also appreciated their pledge to train officers and men of the Service in digital literacy skills, assuring that the Service will continue to prioritize proficiency in the fight against smuggling through technological approach.

He underscored the importance of digital skills, promising that the relevant Service department will enhance trade facilitation.

While speaking during the visit, the UN-Habitat Director, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reposing the responsibility of heading the Nigeria Customs Service on the acting Comptroller-General, describing him as “a competent Customs officer who knows the terrain and masters the job.”

According to him, they decided to visit the CGC at the Customs headquarters to express their interest in partnering the Service for mutual benefits of both parties.

He appreciated the Service for being a “gatekeeper of the country” that protects citizens against border threats, stressing that his organization will collaborate with NCS to mitigate the smuggling of illicit goods and train officers and men of Customs on digital literacy skills and certification.