CAR Customs seeks collaboration with Nigeria Customs on  training, revenue generation, anti- smuggling

Abiola Seun

The Director-General of Customs, Central African Republic (CAR), Frederic Inamo yesterday sought the support of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on training of its officers on increased revenue generation and tackling smuggling.

Inamo, who was on a working visit to the Muritala Muhammed International Airport and Apapa Customs Commands of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said the leading role of the service in Africa and revenue generation make him to seek  help from Nigeria.

Speaking at MMIA, Inamo also said smuggling of arms, ammunition, fake medicaments as well as hard drug is prevalent between both countries.

“When vehicles come into Nigeria from Central Africa or from Central Africa to Nigeria, they come with hard drugs, unregistered drugs and arms and ammunition. Most seizures we make in CAR are from Nigeria, we also seized large ammunitions from Nigeria.

“We have also seized arms and ammunition leaving CAR to Nigeria so that is the reason why my country want to sign an accord to facilitate the cooperation between Nigeria and CAR.”

The CAR Customs Boss said accord between Nigeria and his country will help eliminate fraud, smuggling and also learn about best practices in Nigeria Customs service

“We have signed same accord with Cameroon and about to do the same with Congo. The accord we have with Nigeria will permit us to learn best practices for our country. We need to learn about ICT, scanners so, we have a to  learn from Nigeria in terms of best practices”

Responding to the CAR Customs Boss, the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Zone A, Kathleen Ekekezie, said Nigeria Customs won’t relent in taking her space in Africa, saying the service’s officers are vast in technology, intelligence, and exhibition of good human relationships.

“The world is evolving and we are training our officers to move with time, adapt to chance and training and training of our workforce is germane to the current management of the service.