Olusegun Haastrup
The Nigeria Customs Service, NSC says it is committed to facilitating the importation of wholesome renewable energy technologies, to assist the growth of the nation’s power sector.
Comptroller -General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi stated this at the NCS Trade Facilitation Stakeholders Consultative Forum, held in Ikeja, Lagos.
The event, with the theme, “Trade Facilitation Measures for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology”, had in attendance, stakeholders in trade and energy sector, from across the world.
The occasion was in commemoration of the first anniversary of the Advance Ruling System, a legally binding instrument by the Nigeria Customs Service, on matters relating to tariff classification, valuation and rules of origin decisions on importers.
The Comptroller-General, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General, Tarrif and Trade, Ms. Caroline Niagwan said the new mechanism supports seamless flow and improvement in cross border trade.
She noted that the Advance Ruling System has significantly streamlined the importation process, improved efficiency and ended the delay in cargo clearance.
The Comptroller-General, who said that the Customs will not condone importation of unwholesome solar technologies and other renewable energy, noted that the forum represents a platform for multi-stakeholder engagement and collaborative improvement in customs service.
In a remark, representative of the Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria Mr. Weert Börner, who said Customs modernization is one of the developmental objectives of his country’s collaborations with Nigeria, noted that the priority was to create employment for the young population and ensure global climate friendly economies.
Representative of German development agency in Nigeria, Mr. Duke Benjamin, said the recent partnerships and other developments in the sector were important in customs contribution to energy transition drive.
Earlier in a welcome address, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Zonal Coordinator ‘A’, Mr. Charles Orbih, said the Customs in the last one year simplified cargo clearance which has reduced cost of importation, in line with the goals of the president Bola Tinubu’s Administration.
“The Nigeria Customs is proud to partner GIZ, Nigeria Energy Support Programme and other numerous stakeholders to organise this forum which reflects the growing consumer demand and working policy focus on renewable energy ‘. He added
Stakeholders from different organisations, who shared their experience with the new system, described it as an improvement and value, which the Customs has added to the Ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Goodwill messages were also received from other stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Power, World Trade Organisation, Kingdom of Netherlands, and the European Union.
The event, which had panel sessions and stakeholders engagement, also witnessed the unveiling of “Import and Export Procedures”, a publication that outlines the guidelines by Nigeria Customs Service, with support from Nigeria Energy Support Programme.
The event provided an opportunity for diverse participants, including technology importers, innovative project developers, and certified Authorised Economic Operators, to give feedbacks on their experiences navigating the system.