Customs Boss Charges Stakeholders On Oil Revenue

As part of measures to tackle leakages in oil revenue and promote sustainable development in the  oil and gas industry, the Comptroller, General of Customs, Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), has urged stakeholders operating in the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Onne, to comply strictly with rules governing their operations.
Ali, gave the charge while addressing oil and gas stakeholders forum jointly organised  by the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority and the Nigeria Customs Service in Onne.
He said the theme of the stakeholders forum, “Improved Service Delivery”, was apt as it provides avenue for cross fertilization of ideas among stakeholders on how to arrest the dwindling prospect of the Nigeria oil sector, occasioned by downturn in price at the international crude oil market.
The custom boss who described the oil and gas industry as critical to the Nigerian economy, assured that the Nigeria Custom Service would work with all stakeholders to block all sources of revenue leakages associated with the oil and gas industry.
He said: “we acknowledge the fact that collaboration with the organised private sector is important pillar of customs modernization: and we recognize the need to work with you and carry you along in our march towards evolving, efficient and responsive service, we encourage stakeholders to express their concerns about policy formulations and implementation”
The comptroller general also expressed dismay over what he described as a “”skill gap” among some of the operators involved in the clearing processes especially with regard to extant laws and custom procedures.
He said the Nigeria Custom Service was willing to assist in the retraining of any interested partner, at the Nigeria Custom Service Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja, for refresher courses.
According to the customs boss, the key areas that needed urgent attention to straighten operational procedures for speedy clearance of goods, are, honest custom declarations by traders, proper utilization of temporary importation permits, strict compliance with Free Trade Zone Regulations and Prompt Perfection of Declarations on Provisional Release Procedures.
The comptroller-general who commended the management of the Free Zone Authority for the stakeholders meeting, similar forum would be held with other relevant organizations and agencies. He adviced operators within the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone to avail themselves of the services of Professional customs Licensed Agencies, as sanctions will be applied against defaulters.

Taneh Beemene