The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, has said that his team would effectively implement the new Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, after necessary public enlightenment.
Speaking at a workshop on the provisions of the new law in
Abuja yesterday, Adeniyi tasked the officers to familiarize themselves with the
new Act with a view to ensuring its full implementation.
He stated: “As a responsible institution, we are not
unmindful of the fact that the members of the public are not yet familiar with
the provisions of this Act, most
importantly, the new procedure, processes and the very stiff punitive
provisions in the law. “We are equally
appreciative of the urgent need to sensitize the public on the provisions of
this law to prevent the excuse of ignorance of the law, which is not a
defence.
“The Service will continue to sensitize and educate the
public on the provisions of the law and Customs procedure and processes.
“It is against this background, that we believe our charity
should begin at home by first sensitizing our top Management.
“After this phase, other phases of sensitization that will
cover all categories of sections of the Service and Public have been designed
and shall be meticulously executed. We will bring into the sensitization fold
stakeholders like importers, manufacturers, Customs Agents and Journalists,
among others.
“In other words, this workshop cannot completely enlighten
and educate the participants on the legal jurisprudence of the provisions of
the Act. To this end, I urge you to pay
attention and share your thoughts on issues arising from the Act during this
exercise. Interestingly, the
facilitators are legal officers from the Legal Department of the Service which
is a boost to the programme.”