Customs, NESREA Strengthen Synergy for Environmental Protection and Trade Efficiency
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced collaboration aimed at bolstering environmental protection and trade efficiency.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this declaration during a courtesy visit by NESREA’s management team to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Emphasising the critical role of inter-agency synergy in achieving national economic and security goals, he reiterated the Service’s unwavering commitment to working closely with NESREA.
“We recognise the importance of collaboration and partnership. Many of us have witnessed the golden era of synergy between Customs and NESREA, whether at seaports or border stations. Our commitment to this partnership remains unwavering,” CGC Adeniyi stated.
He highlighted the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) continued advocacy for active cooperation between regulatory agencies, noting that such partnerships facilitate trade, strengthen environmental enforcement, and enhance national security.
Providing insights into the NCS’s performance, Adeniyi disclosed that the Service exceeded its N5.1-trillion revenue target by November 2024, surpassing N6 trillion by December – a feat he attributed to improved efficiency and strategic collaborations.
“These successes are not just about revenue; they reflect our efforts to create a structured, technology-driven trade environment,” he explained.
Adeniyi underscored the importance of digital transformation, intelligence gathering, and strategic alliances in regulatory enforcement.
He proposed deeper digital integration between Customs and NESREA, suggesting a seamless exchange of data and compliance information to enhance environmental protection.
“If we can establish a digital handshake between our platforms – seamlessly sharing data, approvals, and compliance information – we can significantly enhance environmental protection while improving trade efficiency,” he added.
NESREA’s Director-General, Dr Innocent Barikor, commended Customs for its progressive reforms and reaffirmed NESREA’s dedication to strengthening inter-agency cooperation.
He stressed the urgency of stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly in curbing hazardous imports.
“Customs and NESREA share a common law enforcement responsibility, especially at the nation’s borders,” Dr Barikor remarked. He outlined NESREA’s role in enforcing 35 environmental regulations covering air, land, and sea pollution, as well as waste management.
Raising concerns over the rising influx of end-of-life electronics and other environmentally harmful goods, Dr Barikor warned of the grave risks posed by improper disposal.
“Some organisations are importing goods that no longer align with environmental best practices, particularly electronic waste. Our inability to manage the resulting hazardous chemicals is already affecting our ecosystem,” he cautioned.
He called on Customs to strengthen import restrictions on environmentally unsafe goods and urged greater involvement in environmental advocacy, regulatory policymaking, and compliance monitoring.
Additionally, he emphasised the need for joint training and capacity-building initiatives to fortify collaboration between both agencies.
The renewed partnership between the NCS and NESREA signals a proactive approach to safeguarding Nigeria’s environment while ensuring trade efficiency and regulatory compliance.
