Ag Customs CG Visits Lekki Port, LFZ, Reassures Stakeholders Of Smooth Trade Facilitation
20 July, 2023
LAGOS – Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi has reassured investors and prospective users of the Lekki Deep Seaport and Lagos Free Zone of the Service commitment in facilitating trade at the area.
Adeniyi, who gave the assurance during a maiden visit to the Lekki as part of his working visit to customs operational areas in Zone A, commended the commitment and dedication of the promoters of the port.
Adeniyi lauded the modern facilities and the operational readiness of the deep seaport to advance the cause of maritime trade in Nigeria and West Africa.
The Acting CGC, and his entourage had a first-hand feel of the Lagos Free Zone and Lekki Port.
Adeniyi, while commending customs officers serving in the area, expressed his management commitment to the welfare.
He urged them to rededicate themselves to their core responsibilities and justify the confidence reposed in them.
The Ag. CGC’s movement was part of his familiarization visit to zone ‘A’.
The visit took place on Wednesday, July 20, 2023.
He kicked off with the Lagos Free Trade Zone Area Command, where he was received by the Area Controller, Dorathy Yisa-Omogbehin.
There, the Ag. CGC stated that the free zone concept promises the country many benefits.
He urged officers to collaborate with investors and cultivate integrity and transparency.
“In service provision, we must ensure we are at our best in service delivery. I will also encourage you to collaborate with our investors, support those that are compliant, report and apply sanctions to those that are not,” he noted.
“Our officers must cultivate a high sense of integrity and transparency in what you do,” he emphasized.
His words: “The concept of free zone promises the country many benefits, in terms of foreign investment, provision of jobs, creating foreign exchange and of course transfer of skills and technology to Nigeria.”
Highlighting the command’s activities, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Yisa-Omogbehin, cited accommodation as one of the significant challenges of the Command.
She also stated that the Command had generated over N27billion this year.
“The most challenging thing is accommodation, we have a lot of work to do here, but we lack accommodation. We have to send some of our officers to town. If we must do our work well, the officers must be around,” she stated.
“In terms of revenue, this year, we have generated N27.5 billion, we have also issued demand notice, and our intervention stands at N1. 2 billion this year,” she noted.
The Ag. CGC visited the headquarters of the Lagos Free Zone, Lekki Port and Lekki free zone Development Company, where he was received with a warm reception by the Chief Executive Officers and management of the organisations as well as representatives of sister agencies and stakeholders.
The elated boss assured of the services’ support to facilitate and boost trade in Nigeria, while also urging partner agencies with customs to portray the concept of the free trade zone.
“As a responsible agency of government, we want to pledge our support and as a deliberate strategy, I want to let you know that I will be open to regular dialogue with you so that those prayers you talked about, we will
