… Calls for new partnership
In continuation of his sensitization and awareness lectures on the raging controversy of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Valuation Policy, the Customs Area Controller, Tincan Island port command, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede held a crucial engagement with the Port Manager and Heads of Security/Regulatory Agencies in the port.
Comptroller Oloyede used the platform to formally familiarize with heads of security/regulatory agencies and to brainstorm on issues that may be affecting the existing relationship between the Service and sister agencies with a view to re-jigging and strengthening collaboration and synergy.
The Customs Area Controller used the occasion to give an overview and historical perspective to the deployment of VIN Valuation and VREG Policy.
He stated categorically that the VIN Valuation regime provides for transparency and simplification for both the importer and the customs as it has tendency of mitigating corruption as a non intrusive module stating that the VIN Policy is in tandem with the Arusha declaration and Kyoto Convention which Nigeria is signatory.
On the VReg Policy, the CAC informed participants that it ensures that stolen cars will not have access to Nigerian clime amongst other benefits of accountability as the Service are oftentimes inundated with requests for retrieval of stolen vehicles by Interpol.
Speaking further, he noted that the nature of global trade advocates for full automation and simplification of customs clearance in accordance with Article 1 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and noted that the Service engaged with stakeholders through series of Webinar and publications before deployment of the VIN Valuation Policy.
The Customs Area Controller specifically stated that the impasse on VIN Valuation was consequent upon misuse of procedure pertaining to inappropriate code usage for standard and non- standard VIN.
On the issue of enhanced synergy and collaboration in port
operations, the Customs Area Controller charged heads of security and regulatory agencies to push for full automation so as to be integrated into NCS platform like the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC, NESREA among others for ease of communication and effective regulation.
He solicited the support of all security and regulatory agencies and urged them to ensure intelligence/information sharing as according to him, the task of nation building is a collective responsibility.
He, therefore, called for the understanding of sister agencies for the actualization of his mandate.
On their part, the Port Manager and other heads of security/regulatory agencies assured the CAC of their unalloyed support and thanked him for educating them on the VIN Valuation issue.
Photo: Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede addressing the Heads of security and regulatory agencies during the engagement in Lagos yesterday.
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