Customs Integrates IT Systems with FRSC Over Vehicles’ Smuggling

Customs Integrates IT Systems with FRSC Over Vehicles’ Smuggling

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, is currently in the final stages of integrating its Information Technology, IT, systems with that of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to curb the smuggling of vehicles into the country.

“This integration will enhance our ability to monitor and regulate cross-border vehicle movements more effectively,” said the Acting Comptroller General of NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

Mr. Adeniyi spoke in Abuja at a media briefing to mark the end of a ‘2-Day Working Visit’ by the Director General of Benin Republic Customs, Mr Alain Hinkati, to Nigeria.

The Nigeria Customs boss, also disclosed that the relevant department within their NCS has been entrusted with the task of reviewing the current impediments to the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme to chart practical ways forward.

He said: “Our objective remains steadfast: to stimulate economic growth, foster regional integration, and nurture prosperity among our nations”.

Adeniyi, who explained that initiatives have been launched to harmonize the list of products prohibited in Nigeria, said that the step will not only promote consistency but also facilitates smoother trade relations between Nigerian and its partners.

“We are swiftly progressing toward Nigeria’s integration into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), joining hands with other West African nations. This interconnected system promises to further streamline our transit operations and improve regional trade dynamics.

“Our commitment to combatting cross-border crime is unwavering. We are actively engaging in cooperation, intelligence sharing, and resource
pooling with our regional partners to ensure the security and safety of our shared borders,” he said.

Earlier, Mr. Hinkati, expressed confidence that, “Over the last 24 hours, we have been able to leverage our shared commitment to meaningful cooperation to consider and make progress on issues like managing transit of goods through the territories, the use of our ports by importers of the countries and the issue of prohibited goods.

“Our collective efforts will continue to yield positive outcomes, ultimately benefiting our nations and our people”.