The Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Industrial Area Command, FESTAC Town, has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating trade and also ensuring an open-door policy to both officers and stakeholders.

This was contained in a statement over the weekend by the Customs Public Relations Officer in charge of the command, Juliana Tomo.

The statement quoted the new Customs Area Comptroller in charge of the command, Sarah Wadinda, stating this when she assumed office last week as the command’s new CAC after the retirement of her predecessor, Rebecca Chokor.

Wadinda stated that the major focus of the service led by its Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, is to ensure trade facilitation and revenue collection.

“I am committed to facilitating trade with an open door to both officers and stakeholders. The focus of the NCS and the CGC Adewale Adeniyi is trade facilitation and revenue collection. Therefore, the activities of LIAC shall be in line with the CGC’s policy thrusts, which are collaboration, consolidation, and innovation,” she said.

She reiterated that she would work towards achieving enhanced effective cooperation between the LIAC and excise traders on trade facilitation and excise regulation compliance. Wadinda pledged her allegiance to the CGC’s policy thrusts, which are consolidation, collaboration, and innovation.

The CAC enjoined all officers and men of the command to be committed and dedicated in their various schedules towards achieving the policy thrust for an enhanced excise duty collection. She reminded the stakeholders that LIAC’s responsibility is to supervise, collect, and account for excise duty from factories producing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages produced within Lagos State.

“The command monitors the production processes, ensuring compliance with excise regulations, and facilitates trade by providing necessary support and guidance to excise traders,” she explained.

Wadinda further encouraged stakeholders to acquire knowledge of the established NCS laws for a seamless excise trade and a stronger trade relationship with the command.

She reaffirmed that she will use the leadership position to build and improve on the legacy left by her predecessor as well as uphold the core values of the service professionally.