The Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, Apapa, Lagos on the 6th of March, 2025, played host to the Nigeria Customs Authorized Economic Operator team under the office of the Deputy Comptroller General, Tariff and Trade led by Comptroller N Isyaku on a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters.
Comptroller Isyaku, who was represented by Assistant Comptroller PK Katio stated that the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program was launched in 2005 by the World Customs Organization and it is a concept designed to streamline cargo clearance and facilitate ease of doing business in record time with little or no human contact while identifying and working with key supply chain players such as importers, exporters, SMEs, port operators, unions and transporters.
He stated further that demonstrated compliance with Customs procedures and demonstrated compliance with other government agencies are some of the criteria to be met to qualify for the issuance of Economic Operator certificate.
While eulogizing the CP for his giant strides in securing the nation’s ports since he took over as the 32nd Commissioner of Police in charge of the command, Comptroller Isyaku stated further that partnering the police is expedient because of the Police’s dominant presence in the security landscape of the nation cutting across all facets of the nation’s security architecture which includes the seaports, airports and land bbordersmaking it easier for the police to identify flash points in the supply chain through intelligence gathering.
In his concluding remarks, Comptroller Isyaku stated that while discussions have been held at the strategic level, it was also expedient to notify the CP and his management team of the launching of AEO in Nigeria while seeking for the collaboration of the command in sharing credible intelligence with Customs as regards defaulters who are certified AEO operators.
In his response, CP Maikaba pledged his support for the AEO team, stating that in line with international best practices, the command will support the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program at all stages to ensure trade facilitation and sustainable economic prosperity for the nation.
