Ololade Adeyanju/
The Nigerian Customs Service has ordered the immediate disbandment of all checkpoints manned by its personnel in all parts of the country.
The directive was contained in a circular with the subject: “Removal of all Illegal Checkpoints Across the Country”, addressed to the heads of all its command formations and units across the country, a copy of which was obtained by Newsmakers.
The circular, dated July 25, 2017, was signed by the acting Deputy Comptroller General, Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, A.A. Dangaladima, on behalf of the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd).
The circular emphasised that “checkpoints mounted outside 40 kilometres to the border are illegal, while information patrols outside this point should not last more than 24 hours at any given time.
It noted that the 40 kilometres radius applied only to the borders and consequently, there should be no checkpoints within the ports areas.
It explained that, for instance, only two checkpoints, situated at Agbara and Gbaji, along Lagos-Badagry-Seme road, are statutorily approved in that axis.
It also warned that “Zonal Coordinators, Comptrollers FOUs, CACs, CIU and other Units will be jointly held responsible for flouting the directive”.
The customs directive was sequel to a recent memo from the presidency, which directed the service hierarchy to enforce the total ban of all checkpoints within the country with immediate effect.
The federal government’s directive was contained in a memo addressed to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), from the office of the acting President with the subject, “Re: Ease of Doing Business Reform Intervention: Trading Within Nigeria”.
The government’s memo, dated July 8, 2017, was signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, who also doubles as Secretary of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
The customs’ circular to its personnel, with reference number: NCS/ENF/AB/032/S.35, was addressed to all deputy comptroller generals, assistant comptroller generals, zonal coordinators, CACs, Comptrollers of FOUs, CIUs, CGC’s Compliance Team and Marine Commands.
The circular read: “Reference to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council Letter No: PEBEC/EBES/SSAITIOVP/TWN/03 of 18 July, 2017, on the above subject-matter, a copy of which is herewith attached.
“I am directed to convey the CGC’s directive to all the Commands and Units to ensure immediate implementation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby emphasised that checkpoints mounted outside forty (40) kilometres to the border are illegal, while information patrols outside this point should not last more than twenty four (24) hours at any given time.
“The forty (40) kilometres radius applies only to the borders and consequently, there should be no checkpoints within the ports areas.
“To further clarify these issues, it should be reminded strongly that only two checkpoint situated at Agbara and Gbaji along Lagos-Badagry-Seme road are statutorily approved, for instance.
“Henceforth, Zonal Coordinators, Comptrollers FOUs, CACs, CIU and other Units will be jointly held responsible for flouting the directive.
“Ensure widest circulation for strict compliance, please.”
