The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service on
Friday, 22 March 2024, concluded a sensitisation program at the command's
headquarters on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for stakeholders operating
in the Free Trade Zone.
Addressing participants at the event, the Customs Area
Controller (CAC) Kano/Jigawa Command, Comptroller Dauda Chana, described the
event as a fallout of the directives from the Comptroller-General of Customs
(CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.
According to him, the CGC’s directive was a sequel to a
resolution reached at the 2023 edition of the Comptroller-General of Customs
Conference held in December in Lagos.
Comptroller Chana added that the prescribed timeline of
holding the sensitisation event in the first quarter of 2024 was adhered to in
line with Sections 134 to 138 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCAA) 2023.
The CAC advised the stakeholders to avoid smuggling and
evasion of duty to avoid being on the wrong side of the law and reminded them
that the watchful eyes of the command will always be active to detect any
unlawful activity perpetuated in the zone.
He added, "It is important for operators of the free
trade zone to always adhere to the rules guiding their activities. Compliance
saves time, prevents penalties, and contributes to building organisational
integrity. "
The CAC also said that a good record of operational integrity
lays the foundation for traders to enjoy the benefits of the Authorized
Economic Operators (AEO) Pilot Plan launched by the CGC this week. Comptroller
Chana said transparency in the free trade zone operations would result in a
win-win for the government and the stakeholders.
He reassured them of regular assistance from his office to
facilitate trade at all times while urging them to seek clarifications in any
area they need further help or to be updated with more information.
According to him, the extant rules guiding goods manufactured in the free trade zone for export and the need for assessment for duty payment when such products enter the customs zone are critical areas stakeholders should be abreast of.