Mr. Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has given his backing to the NAHCO Export Packaging & Processing Centre (NEPPC), established by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
A statement by Mr. Adeniyi Ajakaye, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications for NAHCO, said that its facility had been operating a globally acceptable standard export processing centre since it came onboard.
NAHCO said that Adeniyi gave the assurance during a visit to its head office and the NEPPC in Lagos.
According to the statement, Adeniyi declared that it was his duty as the number one customs officer in the country and even as a private individual, having seen the extent of investment in the centre, to support its operation.
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NAHCO empahsised that the centre was tailored exclusively towards the exportation of Nigerian commodities.
Adeniyi said: “I commend what you are doing here. And whatever you are doing, and it is improving the economy of the country, especially exports, I am all for it.”
Adeniyi therefore instructed the Mr. Michael Awe, the CAC, Cargo Terminal Command, to perfect the procedures required and ensure that the NEPPC went full blast.
The CGC, who came in company of his top team in Lagos including Assistant Charles Orbih, Customs General, Zonal Coordinator, Zone A; Awe, Comptroller, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, Hajj & Cargo Terminal; Comptroller EJ Harisson, Murtala International Airport Command; Comptroller MS Shuaibu, FOU Zone A and other top officials of the Service stated that NCS was interested in any cargo processing center designed to ensure compliance with global standards.
He said customs was not only about generating revenue, but also about supporting businesses that will create employment and bring in much-needed foreign exchange.
In his comment, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olumekun, Group Managing Director, NAHCO, expressed delight to receive the Customs C-G, describing the visit as a very needed encouragement the company requires in its efforts geared towards boosting the country’s agro-exports through the airports.
Olumekun reiterated that the operation of the entre had always followed global standards and assured that it would create room for more cargo to be processed in the NAHCO export shed since perishables would be moved to the NEPPC.
He pointed out that the reason behind the establishment of the centre was to ensure compliance and proper packaging of commodities that would be acceptable to global markets.
The NEPPC was commissioned in 2024 as a strategic move to enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products on the global stage, create jobs at home and push the boundaries of what Nigeria could sell abroad.
By streamlining export processes, adhering to stringent packaging standards, and ensuring the quality of Nigerian products, NAHCO, through the facility is setting up international benchmark for the processing of Nigeria goods targeted at global markets.
