• Leke Abejide, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, has called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to adopt advanced technology to combat smuggling.
• Abejide noted the need for professional leadership, modern reforms and state-of-the-art customs management software to enhance efficiency and improve data accuracy.
• The lawmaker also emphasized the importance of partnerships with local and international stakeholders to combat transnational crimes.

AbujaFCT – The president House of Representatives The Committee on Customs and Excise, Leke Abejide, has called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to use advanced monitoring technology to combat smuggling and other illicit activities along the nation’s borders.

Abejide made the call during the 2024 Comptroller General of Customs Conference in Abuja.

Why Customs needs modern reforms – Abejide

Abejide stressed the importance of professional leadership and modern reforms in improving customs operations.

He commended the NCS for training staff in anti-smuggling techniques, but noted that the journey to full digitization remains incomplete.

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Abejide: Why customs needs advanced technologies

The legislator highlighted the potential of state-of-the-art customs management software to increase efficiency.

He emphasized the need for advanced technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence to streamline operations, improve data accuracy and encourage collaboration between agencies.

Abejide also emphasized the role of partnerships in combating transnational crimes.

He called on the NCS to strengthen collaboration with local and international stakeholders, including port authorities, law enforcement agencies and trade associations.

“By strengthening these partnerships, the Service increases its ability to combat transnational crime, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling and other activities that threaten national security,” he said.

Abejide commends customs for efforts to combat smuggling

The lawmaker praised the ongoing anti-smuggling campaigns of the NCS, but called for further strengthening of border security through advanced monitoring systems and collaborative operations with military and law enforcement agencies.

Abejide stressed the importance of motivating customs personnel and assured the NCS of the unwavering support of the House of Representatives.

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“However, we must go further by strengthening border security and deploying advanced monitoring technology to detect and prevent illegal activities. Fighting smuggling is not only an economic duty, but also a moral one, as it protects our industries, secures jobs and upholds integrity. of legal trade,” he noted.

Source: Legit.ng