Finance Minister Chairs Historic 60th Nigeria Customs Board Meeting, Highlights Efforts to Ease Cost of Living
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, presided over the 60th regular board meeting of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday, 10 September 2024.
The meeting, which took place at the recently constructed NCS headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, marked a historic first since the commissioning of the building by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
The Minister expressed his satisfaction with the board’s adherence to its commitment to meet quarterly, emphasising the importance of these meetings in upholding corporate governance within the agency.
Edun underscored that regular meetings and financial performance updates were essential for ensuring that government agencies, like the NCS, remained on track to achieve objectives that directly benefit citizens.
“Board meetings serve as an important part of corporate governance,” the Minister stated, adding that corporate governance is critical to running organisations efficiently while providing necessary direction and management to align with government policies.
Edun praised the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, citing the integrity and transparency with which the board operates.
He noted that the board’s principles and commitment to achieving laudable objectives set a commendable example for other government agencies.
In his remarks, the Minister highlighted the importance of collaboration between various ministries and the private sector in the board’s operations.
He explained that the NCS Board comprises representatives from the Ministries of Trade and Investment, Foreign Affairs, Finance, as well as members from the organised private sector, ensuring that critical national issues are thoroughly discussed and swiftly implemented.
Addressing questions about his experience as the first Minister and NCS Board Chairman to chair a meeting at the newly constructed NCS Corporate Headquarters, Edun took the opportunity to commend the Customs Service for the achievement.
“I congratulate the Nigeria Customs Service on this accomplishment – not just for building this magnificent edifice, but for moving into it, utilising it, and maintaining its cleanliness. I pray for the success of all those who work in this new facility,” he stated.
The Minister’s comments reflected his optimism about the future of the NCS, as well as the importance of maintaining standards of governance and efficiency in government operations.
