The Nigeria Customs Service, Katsina Area Command, is poised to revive community consultative forums in border communities within the state.
This was made known by Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Umar, in a press statement released by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Tahir Balarabe, on Saturday, 11th November 2023.
Comptroller Umar revealed that the revitalization of the consultative forum aims to engage residents of border communities in collaborative efforts to devise sustainable strategies for reducing smuggling and transborder crimes in the state.
The Customs Area Controller assured the forum would kick off before the year’s end, emphasizing that “the revamped Customs Community Consultative Forum will enhance trade facilitation while maintaining a high level of compliance with border closure regulations.”
He emphasized that the periodic Customs Community Consultative Forum would include stakeholders such as business associations traditional and religious leaders, serving as a crucial tool to address issues impacting economic development without compromising national security.
During his border stations tour in Mai’Adua and Zango Local Government Areas, Comptroller Umar held interactive sessions with leaders of business associations, traditional and religious leaders, and other significant stakeholders to discuss ways to enhance border security and facilitate trade in the state.
Additionally, the Area Controller visite former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at his country home in Daura and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar Faruq. During these visits, both leaders reiterated their unwavering support for the Nigeria Customs Service.