In a significant move towards bolstering trade security, the Nigeria Customs Service joined forces with the West Africa Security Project (WASP) on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The collaboration aims to equip customs officers with enhanced security awareness for more effective trade facilitation and border security.
During a meeting held at the Customs Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR commended the collaboration, describing it as a valuable opportunity for officers to excel in their security duties. He highlighted the project’s focus on curbing smuggling and illegal trafficking of substances, emphasizing its potential benefits to the Service.
CGC Bashir outlined several advantages of the program, including cargo profiling, small arms and light weapon handling, global shield programs dealing with chemicals and radioactive elements, and resource-sharing with stakeholders for synergy.
Commenting on the collaboration, CGC Bashir expressed optimism about the impact on the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, citing a World Bank-managed project promoting trade facilitation in the region. He asserted that the inclusion of the new security-focused initiative would significantly enhance performance and unlock opportunities, potentially accounting for 60% of the GDP through effective cooperation.
The program also involves field officers engaging in brainstorming sessions and exchanging ideas to identify smuggling routes and minimize illicit activities. According to CGC Bashir, this collaborative effort is crucial for the success of the project and requires the cooperation of all Customs administrations involved.
Terry Wall, the project manager of West Africa Security Project (WASP), outlined additional benefits, including the identification of high-risk cargo, training for the national Customs Enforcement Network (nCEN), refresher training in the use of Customs Enforcement Network (CEN), joint activities to deliver GEOSPATIAL intelligence, and a comprehensive High Level End-of-Project Evaluation with the donor. The collaborative efforts between the Nigeria Customs Service and WASP mark a significant stride towards fortifying trade security in the West African region.