From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos
The quest to shore-up the nation’s revenue base through the promotion of export trade got a boost yesterday as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) agreed to further strengthen its relationship by working together to facilitate trade.
This was disclosed by the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo while on a courtesy visit to the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Abdullahi Dikko Inde.
Awolowo explained that in order to realize the objectives of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) the Council would plan with all relevant stakeholders in the sector to proffer strategies on how
the sector could contribute significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“This informed our earlier visits to Agencies such as Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) among others” when I assumed duty.
On outstanding claims of some Export Expansion Grant (EEG) beneficiaries, Awolowo solicited the cooperation of the Nigerian Customs Service given their role in the implementation of the Scheme, which is targeted at increasing the volume of Nigeria’s non-oil exports in the international market.
While commending Customs on their efforts at facilitating trade, Awolowo appealed to the Customs’ boss to support the Council in its effort to provide a One-stop Pre-inspection platform for exportable goods through its proposed Export Warehouse Project to be located close to some designated Nigerian seaport.
Responding, Inde assures that the Customs was willing to partner the Council to realize its mandate, as “both Agencies must properly synergize on related functions to achieve the common target of establishing a flourishing economy”.
Customs contribute significantly to the development and growth of the economy given the huge revenue it adds to the nation’s treasury which is used, among others, to provide amenities and employment across all levels of Government.
The Comptroller-General promised that the Service would collaborate with the Council in building capacity for its Staff, using its established Information Communication and Technology (ICT) platform as a way of promoting seamless export trade.
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