By Awwal Umar Kontagora Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has called on the Nigeria Customs Service to grant the state ...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has called on the Nigeria Customs Service to grant the state a waiver on the importation of agricultural equipment to support its growing agricultural sector.
Governor Bago made the appeal during a visit to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at his office in Abuja. He also emphasized the need for Niger State to be considered as an off-taker of agricultural machinery when the Customs Service disposes of such equipment, given its status as a leading agricultural producer in the country.
The governor explained that the visit aimed to strengthen collaboration with the Customs Service, particularly because of Niger State’s international border with Benin Republic. He noted that the state has positioned itself as a pilot for agricultural transformation in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security.
Governor Bago highlighted the state's commitment to easing the challenges of agricultural production and supporting one million farmers to contribute significantly to national food security. He also took the opportunity to congratulate Adeniyi on his promotion and appointment as Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
In response, Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi welcomed the governor’s visit and commended his administration’s agricultural initiatives. He pledged to work closely with the state government and called for Niger State’s cooperation in providing intelligence information to aid enforcement activities, enhance security, ensure trade compliance, and combat smuggling, particularly in areas such as Babana Community in Borgu Local Government Area and the state capital, Minna.
Adeniyi expressed optimism that the Federal Ministry of Finance would grant waivers and concessions to Niger State, especially in the area of agricultural production.
Governor Bago was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Usman; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Abdullahi Usman Gbatamangi; Commissioner for Finance, Lawal Adamu Maikano; Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun; and other senior government officials.
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