Sade Williams/Business a.m.
Sade Williams/Business a.m.
Nigeria Customs Service has given its full endorsing support to the Export Packaging and Processing Centre (NEPPC) set up by Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) in its efforts at operating a globally acceptable standard export processing centre in Nigeria.
The Customs Service’s support comes as a major boost to NAHCO when Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service, told the management of the ground handling company that it has Customs full support to operate the NEPPC.
Visiting NAHCO’s head office and the NEPPC in Lagos, Adeniyi said it was his duty as the number one Customs officer in the country and even as a private individual, having seen the extent of investment in the Centre, to support the operation of the centre.
The endorsement, according to the Customs chief, is even more so given that the Centre is tailored exclusively towards the exportation of Nigerian commodities.
“I commend what you are doing here. And whatever you are doing, and it is improving the economy of the country, especially exports, I am all for it,” he said.
Adeniyi therefore instructed MT Awe, the CAC, cargo terminal command, to perfect the procedures required and ensure that the NEPPC goes full blast. The CGC, who came in company of his top team in Lagos, including ACG Charles Orbih, zonal coordinator, Zone A; MT Awe, comptroller, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, Hajj & Cargo Terminal; Comptroller EJ Harisson, Murtala International Airport Command; comptroller MS Shuaibu, FOU Zone A and other top officials of the Service stated that NCS is interested in any cargo processing center designed to ensure compliance with global standards.
He said Customs is not only about generating revenue but also about supporting businesses that will create employment and bring in much-needed foreign exchange.
Olumuyiwa Olumekun, managing director and chief executive officer, NAHCO Plc, responding said he was very delighted to receive the Customs C-G, describing the visit as a very needed encouragement the Company requires in its efforts geared towards boosting the country’s agro-exports through the airports.
Olumekun said the operation of the Centre will follow global standards and will create room for more cargo to be processed in the NAHCO export shed since perishables would be moved to the NEPPC.
He pointed out that the reason behind the establishment of the Centre was to ensure compliance and proper packaging of commodities that would be acceptable to global markets.
Olumekun was joined in welcoming the Customs chief by Adeoye Emiloju, chief financial officer, NAHCO Plc, Ahmed Bashir Gulma, general manager, external affairs, and Oluwole Olalandu, head, cargo services.
The NEPPC was commissioned in 2024 as a strategic move to enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products on the global stage, create jobs at home and push the boundaries of what Nigeria could sell abroad.
By streamlining export processes, adhering to stringent packaging standards, and ensuring the quality of Nigerian products, NAHCO, through the facility is setting up international benchmarks for the processing of Nigeria goods targeted at global markets.
