Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, Rt Hon. Leke Abejide has stated that the new Customs and Excise Management Act(CEMA)is expected to have tremendous impact on every facet of the national economy.as well as on officers’ career progression with some enhanced level of professionalism.
Speaking at a Management Retreat on sensitization workshop on the new Nigeria Customs Act, in Abuja, Hon abejide explained that the CEMA “we are celebrating today, did not come that easy as the Bill was declined assent three times. “It got to a point, it became practically, the only project I was doing as I was having meetings with Ministries of Justine, Finance as well as the Nigeria Customs Service. “
“Were it not for perseverance and dedication on my part, I would have given up, same way previous administration’s did”, he said.
He told his audience that the reforms introduced by the Act would also enhance job motivation which has hitherto, been deprived the NCS adding that this new legislation further marks a significant milestone, “in our efforts to streamline Customs procedures, enhance trade facilitation and foster a conducive environment for economic growth and development.
“Today, every Customs officer is assured that his labour is not going to be truncated at the peak of his/her career neither is he/she going to be denied the fruits of long , faithful and dedicated service to his/her motherland, ” Hon Abejide said.
He expressed his delight that today, a career Customs Officer, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi(MFR) is made the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, adding that the provisions of section 14(1) of the new Act is very instructive on professionalism, by providing the appointment of a career officer from the Service to be at the helm.
On the new Acting CGC, he said, ” I am persuaded that with your track record of selfless service to this institution, your duty on overseeing the task of reforms injected in this Act would be seamlessly achieved” the law maker stated.
He said that with the new Act, the idea of always going cap in hand for funds is over as section 18 of the Act provides that not less than4% of the Free on Board(FOB) value of imports will be reserved for the NCS.