Traditional leader urges Nigerian Customs to engage communities on enlightenment campaigns of its activities

The Nigerian Customs  Service has been urged to embark more on enlightenment campaign and sensitization on its activities as backed by law to host communities, especially border areas.

Kanwan Katsina III, who is the District Head of Ketare in Katsina State , Alhaji Usman Kankara Bello (mni), made the call during a recent Customs-Community Consultative Forum organised by the Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as part of strategy to continue to enjoy seamless operations with host communities.

Solacebase reports that Alhaji Bello, a retired senior Customs officer emphasized his preference for radio as the best communicating tool for his people, when he said through radio programs, the Command can enlighten the border communities, importers, exporters and other businessmen on Customs regulations.

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He described radio as a communication tool that has wider coverage and that can cut across social boundaries through all nooks and crannies of the state.

A statement issued from the District Head office said the forum was organised by the Katsina Command to rub minds with host communities on activities of the NCS, in order to continue to solicit for their support in carrying out their operations.

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At the forum which had in attendance representatives of the State Government, Emirs of Katsina and Daura, Civil Society organisations, Market Unions, Traders, Importers, exporters and Customs licensed agents, the traditional ruler also called on traders including importers and exporters to always liaise with the customs before importing their goods for verification to avoid seizure, as he urged them to be forward looking at paying appropriate duties on their imported goods.

He noted that revenue accrued by Customs are shared by the three (3) tiers of government, the federal, state and local for executing various developmental policies and programs for the betterment of the people.

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The Ketare District Head who meritoriously served Customs for thirty-five years however commended efforts of the Katsina State Customs Command of the service led by Deputy Comptroller of Customs Dalha Wada Chedi in the area of revenue generation, as he promised as he is duty bound also to offer useful advice to the command in areas that can enhance their operations.

Earlier, Wada made useful remarks educating the traders and community members on the activities of customs, while during the questions and answer session, the CAC clears air on all issues raised, as he also promised to continue with the program on a quarterly basis.