By Uzor Odigbo
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has assured investors in the North that it would rejuvenate underutilised inland dry ports for optimal utilisation.
The Ag. Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi stated this when the Chairman of Arewa Economic Forum (AEF), Ibrahim Shehu Dandakata paid a working visit to customs headquarters Abuja on Tuesday.
Ag. CGC reiterated that his administration is up and doing to enhance trade in the north, considering its importance in boosting Nigeria’s economy and prosperity.
The Ag. CGC, who spoke about the current situation in Niger Republic and how it affects trade in Nigeria, also said that “considering the significance of trade in Northern Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service finds it interesting to engage in trade talks, but can be achieved when there’s absolute peace in the area.”
He assured the entourage of Customs’ commitment to look into the matter of Inland Ports and consult the Federal Government to fast-track the process, adding that “Customs is willing to support the situation.”
The Ag. CGC said that NCS will watch out for the Economic Summit to attend, adding that “there’s so much economic potential in the North, which, if revamped, will contribute to the development of the country’s economy.”
Earlier , Dandakata, has said the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has solid support for the Forum, considering his notable commitment to enhance border security and trade facilitation in the North.
According to him, the idea behind visiting the Ag. CGC was to bring new ideas that will help his administration to succeed, adding that the Forum is looking forward to witnessing the enhancement of cross-border trade in Ilela, considering its potential in boosting the region’s economy.
He, however, pleaded with the Ag. CGC to look into the conditions of Inland Dry Ports in the North, which, according to him, “are essential in carrying out businesses in the region, insisting that, as it stands, they’re not functioning.”