Nigerian Customs Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR paid a stopover visit to the Zonal HQ/Area 1 Command Port Harcourt on Thursday 5 September 2024. A high level stakeholders meeting on the issue of petroleum smuggling convened and chaired by the National Security Adviser (NSA) and concerned agencies have reached resolutions on how best to end the national challenge.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Other agencies in the meeting included the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Major stakeholders including the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
After extensive deliberations, the following outcomes were reached:
- Public Awareness Campaign. The meeting resolved to launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on the detrimental effects of petroleum smuggling on the nation’s economy and security. This campaign will be a joint effort of all participating agencies, leveraging various media platforms to reach all segments of society.
- Commitment from All Stakeholders. Stakeholders publicly disassociated from smuggling activities and committed to implementing stricter internal controls. Stakeholders also agreed to cooperate fully with the NCS and other agencies in identifying and reporting suspected smuggling activities.
- Stakeholder Feedback and Partnership. A formal mechanism was established for regular feedback from stakeholders on anti-smuggling efforts.
This includes periodic review meetings of the operation, with participation from all relevant agencies and associations.
- Enhanced Inter-Agency Collaboration. Participants agreed on the need to support Operation Whirlwind and for stronger collaboration between the NCS, NMDPRA, NNPC Ltd., and security agencies. Notably, the establishment of a Centre for linkages and collaboration bringing together all relevant Stakeholders. They committed to improved information sharing and joint operations to combat smuggling more effectively.
- Funding for Operation Whirlwind. The meeting acknowledged the significant costs associated with anti-smuggling operations. A resolution was passed to advocate for increased budgetary allocation for Operation Whirlwind, with support from all participating agencies.
- Technology Adoption. The NNPC Ltd. and NMDPRA, in collaboration with the NCS, agreed to explore the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance monitoring and control of petroleum product movement throughout the supply chain.
- Community Engagement. The Operation Whirlwind team, with support from other agencies, will develop a strategy to actively engage community leaders in border areas as partners in the fight against smuggling.
- Legal Framework Enhancement. The National Security Adviser will coordinate with relevant government bodies to implement existing laws, aiming to strengthen penalties for smuggling and provide greater legal backing for anti-smuggling operations. The forum encouraged NCS to prosecute offenders.
- Sustainable Anti-Smuggling Strategy. The NCS, in collaboration with NMDPRA and NNPC Ltd., committed to developing a long-term, sustainable strategy for combating petroleum smuggling, to be reviewed and updated annually under the supervision of the National Security Adviser.
- Monitoring and Evaluation. A joint monitoring team, comprising representatives from all participating agencies and associations, was established to monitor the implementation of these resolutions and to provide periodic progress reports to the National Security Adviser.
- The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all parties to work collaboratively towards eliminating petroleum smuggling and ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s petroleum supply chain.
