The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have resolved to synergise against illicit trade and financial flows across borders to safeguard the nation’s economic prosperity.
Renewing the existing inter-agency collaboration, the two federal agencies also sought the collective support of relevant stakeholders in the export and import industry to fight money laundering through trade.
Speaking at a one-day sensitisation workshop for the business community in Kano, Acting Zonal Director, Kano Zone of EFCC, Sa’ad Hanafi, explained the critical role of regulatory agencies in ensuring strict compliance with legal requirements.
Hanafi pointed out payment of tax as one of the critical legal obligations of stakeholders in the trade, investment, and commercial sectors, but reminded participants that EFCC and its sister agency are shining a spotlight on illicit financial and trade flows to safeguard the nation’s economic integrity.
He said the workshop was designed to sensitise stakeholders on their role in maintaining legal compliance and to create awareness of the scourge of prevailing illicit financial flows and trade malpractices in the country.
He called for synergy between the enforcement agencies and the Kano Chamber of Commerce to advocate strict compliance with legal requirements and foster a conducive trade and investment environment.
He called, “We are here to protect the integrity of our financial system, safeguard our economy from the scourge of illicit financial flows and trade malpractices, and ensure that every citizen and corporate entity fulfils their legal obligations, including tax payments.
“Tax evasion, submission of false declarations, and other financial malpractices are not just illegal; they are a disservice to our nation, depriving it of the resources needed for critical infrastructure and social services.
“The EFCC, in collaboration with sister agencies, is increasingly deploying intelligence and technology to track and disrupt these sophisticated schemes.”
On his part, Zonal Coordinator, Zone B Headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Nsikan Patrick Umoh, vowed to prevent unethical practices in trade movement.
The senior Customs officer cited the three-point agenda of the CGC, Bashir Adeniyi, on sustaining a secure, efficient, and transparent environment for progress, and insisted that the service is committed to deploying necessary machinery to drive economic prosperity in Nigeria.
The Zonal Coordinator affirmed the readiness of Customs to support stakeholders and the business community by sharing intelligence that would curb illicit malpractices in trade and commercial investment.
President of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Investment, Manufacture, and Agriculture (KACCIMA), Usman Hassan Darma, said the role of the chamber is to promote and protect the interests of members and ensure compliance with regulations and government policies.
Darma pledged to collaborate with government agencies to promote an equitable business environment and an investment-friendly atmosphere in Kano.
