Adeniyi: Concessions, Waivers Granted FTZs to Boost Job Creation, FX Inflows
James Emejo in Abuja
The acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, has explained that the federal government resolved to grant concessions and waivers to operators in the nation’s economic zones in order to boost foreign exchange inflows and create jobs for Nigerians.
He also assured that the customs under his administration would ensure that stakeholders in the free zones witness business prosperity.
Adeniyi made the commitment during his familiarisation visit to the headquarters of Ogun II Area Command, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He said the intention of the government was to boost foreign exchange for the country, create jobs for Nigeria, and ultimately ensure economic development.
While engaging with Excise Traders and Free Trade Zone Operators in the state, Adeniyi said the operations of the free zones remained a priority to the service.
He noted that the performance of customs in terms of trade facilitation and revenue generation is tied to the successes of the economic zones operators across the country.
He said, “I have made it a deliberate policy to put your operations at the cornerstone of our activities. My understanding is that you are critical stakeholders for us, it is through your activities that we can report our own activities, and it is, therefore, in our interest that we do everything to ensure that your companies and businesses prosper.
“It is not all the time that customs officers are overzealous in implementation of the law; most of the time, they keep in their mind the basic objectives behind these entities.”
The green zone operators while congratulating the customs boss on his appointment also tabled issues of concern in the operations of the economic zones and factories under excise control.
Adeniyi, however, said he had set up a committee consisting representatives of enterprises, the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and Oil and Gas Authority, working with representatives from customs to look into all areas of concern.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller, Ahmadu Shauibu, who commended the customs boss for the visit, also highlighted some of the command’s achievements.
He said, “At our level, since we came in, we have brought in about 18 factories under excise control.”
In a statement issued by customs spokesman, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, Adeniyi, nonetheless, also charged officers of the command to understand the importance of their operations and activities to Nigeria’s economic development.
