Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a bid to tighten border control and combat illicit trade, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has deepened collaboration with the Netherlands Customs, as both administrations explore joint strategies to safeguard supply chains and enhance trade facilitation.
The partnership was showcased during a two-day working visit by a Netherlands Customs delegation to Nigeria, focusing on intelligence sharing, enforcement capacity, and streamlined trade procedures.
Speaking on the collaboration, Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, described it as a “timely response to the evolving nature of global commerce and transnational crime.”
She added, “This engagement reflects our shared commitment to strengthening control mechanisms against the flow of illicit goods across our borders, we need to change our own approaches to safeguarding the security supply chains, to be able to meet standards.”
The delegation toured import and export operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport before inspecting enforcement procedures at the APM Terminals.
During a roundtable at Apapa, Niagwan emphasized Nigeria’s pivotal role in global trade.
“Our ports and airports are major gateways where all kinds of goods pass through within West Africa. This collaboration will help us combat transnational organised crime while facilitating legitimate trade,” she said.
Also weighing in, Head of International Affairs at Netherlands Customs, Karin Borsboom, stressed the mutual benefits of the partnership.
“As customs organisations, we have the same challenge it’s very good to cooperate to see how we can strengthen and learn from each other so both organisations can do better,” she said.
Moderating the discussion, DCG Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection, Timi Bomodi, highlighted recent intelligence-led operations that led to the seizure of illicit drugs, controlled pharmaceuticals, and other prohibited items.
He noted that the NCS is working in synergy with other agencies to curb the influx of illicit goods into Nigeria.
The collaboration, SweetCrude Reports noted, could significantly enhance the efficiency of Nigeria’s ports and airports, reduce losses from smuggling, and improve confidence among international investors and traders.
