By Prosper Okoye, Abuja

The Chairman of the Committee on Customs and Excise in the Ninth Assembly House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, has stated that the realization of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) of 2023 was accompanied by obstacles, but ultimately fulfilling.

“The tortuous journey towards the repeal of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap.

C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and the re-enactment of this new Act, the first of its kind in 63 years, was indeed very challenging, but which God made possible by the 9th National Assembly with the cooperation of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Customs Service and the general stakeholders at large,” he said.

In a speech made available to newsmen yesterday by the Customs National Spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, Abejide noted that the new act would inspire customs personnel to reach the pinnacle of their careers.

“Today, I can confirm to the Comptroller General of Customs, officers, and indeed Nigerians that I am a fulfilled man, witnessing a career officer within the Nigeria Customs Service being appointed as the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, thanks to the new Nigeria Customs Act of 2023,” he said during the management retreat and sensitization workshop on the new Act in Abuja.

“When I assumed the position of Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, I took it upon myself to overcome the obstacles that had caused previous governments to fail in repealing and re-enacting the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (CEMA).

“This Act we are celebrating today did not come easily, as the Bill was declined assent three (3) times. It reached a point where it became the sole project I was working on, having meetings with the Ministry of Justice, as well as discussing with the Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Customs Service. If it weren’t for my perseverance and dedication, I would have given up, just as previous administrations did. But all glory to God, it is a reality today,” he further stated.

Abejide also noted that the new legislation marks a significant milestone in the efforts to streamline Customs procedures, enhance trade facilitation, and foster a conducive environment for economic growth and development.

“Some of the reforms injected into the Nigerian Customs Act 2023 enhance the trade facilitation policies of the service, upgrading the status of the Service to a 21st-century strategic revenue-generating institution of our dreams. Our efforts provide statutorily implanted policies that invigorate the objectives of ensuring border security and improving revenue accountability. Therefore, this institution will soon reap the dividends of this legal framework, which promotes the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

“For the first time since the inception of this Service, the need to always rely on external finances to perform lawful and statutory duties is now a thing of the past, thanks to the introduction of Section 18 of the Act. This section provides for a sum not less than 4% of the Free-On-Board value of imports, following international best practices, as part of the funds the service shall keep and maintain for its operation.

“Furthermore, Section 18(6)(a) empowers the Nigeria Customs Service to oversee budget line items that cost 10% or less of the entire capital budget under review. This enables faster implementation of capital projects, enhancing the performance of officers in service delivery. It should be noted that only projects with a value above 10% of the total capital projects of the year under review will require Federal Executive Council approval.

“It is important to highlight that this sum is not fixed and can be increased as needed through a proposal by the President to the National Assembly, subject to appropriation in the Customs Service matters budget presentation.

“We expect the Service to fulfill its responsibility of exploring new revenue sources and ensuring that techniques for evading duties and levies by criminal-minded individuals are minimized, allowing for the harnessing of targeted revenue avenues.

“It is worth noting that the new legislation has introduced new internal adjudicatory mechanisms, equivalent to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which simplifies the resolution of Customs disputes quickly and efficiently, without the complexity of court litigation.

“In addition, the introduction of e-commerce trade facilitation systems responds to the long-awaited global digital method, promoting a swift response to revenue generation by the Service and facilitating ease of doing business.

“Finally, I congratulate this Management for having a dependable instrument that will enhance the effective service delivery of your statutory responsibilities. To the officers in general, I want to emphasize that this Act provides provisions for a reward and motivational scheme for exceptional and meritorious services rendered in relation to any Customs or Excise matter. This may include special promotions, letters of commendation, or cash rewards. Therefore, your efforts in executing this law optimally will not be in vain.

“I have confidence that this new legislation will accelerate the growth of the Nigerian economy, enhance investor confidence, boost the morale of Customs Officers nationwide, improve stakeholder confidence, and increase transparency in the Nigerian business climate in the global marketplace,” he added.