Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, in partnership with the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, KACCIMA, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, organised a one-day stakeholder engagement on trade facilitation and compliance in Kano.
The sensitisation workshop, brought together key actors from the business community, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to deliberate on promoting integrity, transparency, and legal compliance in trade practices.
Themed “Enhancing Trade Compliance and Adherence to Legal Regulations: The Critical Role of Law Enforcement Agencies and the Chamber of Commerce in Trade Facilitation and Enforcing Legal Tax Regulations,” the engagement provided a platform for dialogue on effective collaboration among government institutions and private sector players.
In a statement made available to journalists signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tahir Balarabe, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘B’, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Nsikan Umoh, said the workshop aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is focused on promoting sustainable economic growth through improved trade systems.
ACG Umoh explained that the Service has deployed Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics tools in the B’Odogwu platform for cargo assessment, alongside other modern trade facilitation programmes such as the Authorised Economic Operator, AEO, Advance Ruling, and Time Release Study, TRS, to accelerate clearance processes and enhance compliance.
Also, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Sa’ad Hannafi, stressed the importance of synergy between regulatory agencies and business operators in sanitising the commercial environment.
“Kano, the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria, thrives on trade. However, the full potential of this vibrant economy can only be realised through integrity, the rule of law, and adherence to regulations.” He said.
On his part, the President of KACCIMA, Ambassador Usman Darma, reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to partnering with enforcement agencies to sensitise traders and promote voluntary compliance among its members.
Similarly, the Customs Area Controller of Kano/Jigawa Command, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, said the initiative was inspired by the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to strengthen relationships with stakeholders through dialogue and collaboration. He added that the Service remains committed to bridging operational gaps and correcting misconceptions about Customs processes.
In his goodwill message, the Kano State Commissioner for Commerce, Shehu Sagagi, lauded the initiative, describing it as a crucial step toward improving business compliance and enhancing tax revenue in the state.
“The Kano State Government is ready to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure more traders comply with tax and regulatory obligations,” he said.
The event ended with a group photograph of participants, while also reaffirming the shared commitment to promoting lawful trade, accountability, and economic development in the region.
