Apapa Customs Restates Commitment to Safety Standards, Zero Tolerance for Inferior Imports During Reps’ Visit

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to zero tolerance for substandard imports and upholding safety standards at all its operational areas.

Comptroller Oshoba who received members of the House of Representatives (HoR) Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, led by its Chairman, Hon. David Idris Zacharias, enlightened the lawmakers on NCS compliance with safety standards and zero compromise.

CAC Oshoba took the lawmakers around some areas in the port to underscore the NCS’ compliance with safety standards and pointed out that items that fall short of approved standards by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) are not allowed into the country.

According to him, the NCS has an uncompromising stance on any import or export that contravene federal government prohibition lists, adding that the service is ready to seize such items and ensure Nigerians are not exposed to unsafe products

The reps visit which was part of their parliamentary oversight was preceded by inspections at the service’s headquarters in Abuja which provided an avenue for the lawmakers to interact with the Customs Management and gain first-hand insight into the Service’s role in ensuring the safety and protection of Nigerians through border management and enforcement of import standards.

Speaking during the visit, Hon. Zacharias stated that the committee embarked on the nationwide exercise in line with its mandate to assess safety practices and regulatory compliance in agencies of government.

He emphasised that the Committee’s visit was not targeted at fault-finding but aimed at fostering collaboration between Customs and the legislature toward ensuring the protection of lives and property through effective enforcement of standards.

“We have a mandate that we should carry on this exercise, and we started the inspections from the head office of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja. We sought the approval of the Comptroller-General to go around all terminals,” Zacharias said.

He explained that the Committee had received several petitions and reports alleging lapses in safety enforcement involving various agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, and that the visit was to verify such claims on the ground.

Hon. Zacharias, while noting that the safety of Nigerians remains a shared responsibility, lauded the Service for its cooperation and openness during the visit.

“The safety of Nigeria is our collective responsibility. Nobody will do it for us. We have seen that the Nigeria Customs Service also has a mandate tied to the safety of Nigerians. This means we share a common understanding and must work together as a team,” he stated.

Several members of the committee also used the opportunity to raise questions concerning the entry of substandard products into the Nigerian market, including fake cables and electrical materials alleged to have caused fire incidents and building collapses in the country.

One of the lawmakers noted that while SON has a clear statutory responsibility to regulate product quality, Customs also has an obligation to ensure that banned or dangerous goods do not find their way into the country.

Responding to the Committee’s concerns, the Customs boss emphasised that the Service remains committed to enforcing trade laws and intercepting substandard or prohibited items at the nation’s entry points.

“We have records of seizures of such items, and we ensure that they do not find their way into the Nigerian market. Within Apapa Command, we do not allow any consignment that poses harm to the society or national security. We are firm on that,” he stated.

Comptroller Oshoba, however, pointed out that Nigeria’s extensive and porous land borders continue to pose challenges to national security and trade monitoring, a situation that sometimes enables unapproved goods to enter the country through unauthorised routes.

“We have expansive and porous borders, and this remains one of the major national security concerns. But within our operational jurisdiction here in Apapa, we enforce compliance strictly and do not compromise on safety standards,” he said.

He assured the lawmakers that the Service would continue to work collaboratively with SON and other relevant agencies to strengthen monitoring mechanisms against substandard imports.

The visit, which also featured facility inspection and documentation review, was part of a broader national oversight tour being undertaken by the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations to evaluate the safety policies, practices, and inter-agency coordination among regulatory bodies.

Speaking further, Hon. Zacharias commended the leadership of the NCS for its cooperation and professional conduct, expressing optimism that the committee’s findings would help the National Assembly make informed decisions in support of improved national safety standards.