NESREA, Nigerian Customs Strengthen Collaboration for Environmental Sustainability
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing collaboration in a bid to promote environmental sustainability.
This resolution was reached during a strategic meeting in Abuja, where NESREA’s Director General, Dr. Innocent Barikor, led his management team on a courtesy visit to the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi.
According to a statement by NESREA’s Assistant Director (Press), Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor, discussions centered on improving synergy between both agencies, particularly at Nigeria’s ports. Key areas of collaboration include:
- Seamless processing and verification of environmental documents such as import clearances.
- Integration of NESREA’s online portal with the newly developed B’odogwu platform.
- Enhanced information-sharing mechanisms to enforce the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
- Establishment of a joint committee to ensure effective implementation of these initiatives.
Dr. Barikor also underscored the Federal Government’s recent ban on single-use plastics, emphasizing its importance in advancing the circular economy and combating plastic pollution.
In response, Comptroller General Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its operations. He assured that the Service remains dedicated to enforcing environmental standards in line with the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Green Customs Action Plan.
This strengthened alliance between NESREA and the NCS represents a significant step toward safeguarding Nigeria’s environment and promoting sustainable trade practices.
