Acting Comptroller-General (CG) of Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Godwin Audu, has assured that efforts were being made to adhere to the European Union (EU) requirements for exportation of products to avert rejection of agricultural produce from Nigeria at the international market.
Nigeria loses billions of dollars to the rejection of its agricultural produce yearly. For instance, the country has been losing $382 million yearly to the ban on beans export to Europe.
He mentioned that the agency, in adherence to the act establishing it and by being conversant with international standards, would do everything in its power to promote the ease of doing business.
To enhance service delivery, the NAQS boss announced the establishment of an Operations and Enforcement Department within the agency to oversee seamless operation, minimise unnecessary seizures and enforce seizures judiciously.
The quarantine czar, who disclosed this in his maiden meeting with station and zonal coordinators, in Abuja, also announced thepromotion of over 100 officers to Assistant Superintendent of Quarantine (ASQ), saying the promotion was overdue.
Audu assured that, henceforth, human capital development would be prioritised and called on the staff to rededicate themselves to the task of repositioning the agency to better serve the diverse stakeholders.
He promised to look into the challenge from different zones on the state of infrastructure and operational tools to ease their working condition.
The acting CG stated that his administration operates an open-door policy, which would give room for innovative ideas, stressing that the development would contribute to the agency’s growth.
He stressed the importance of fostering stronger relationships with sister bodies and stakeholders, and urged zonal and station coordinators to follow suit, emphasising his belief in unity.
The agency, he assured all stakeholders, remains dedicated to promoting ease of doing business and facilitating trade in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.
