Customs train 150 personnel in aviation operations

The Nigeria Customs Service has begun specialised training for its officers to enhance aviation operations oversight, with a total of 150 personnel expected to undergo the programme.

The CEO of Top Brass Aviation Limited, Captain Roland Iyayi, confirmed the development, stating that the first batch of officers had already completed their training, while the second batch would be trained later this month.

“The first batch was trained last week. Another batch will be trained the last week of this month, 24th to the 28th,” Iyayi disclosed.

He explained that the training is aimed at equipping officers to effectively manage operations at the country’s major international airports and seaports.

“In total, I think they’re training about 150 personnel. So that they can have all these officers at the five international airports and the seaports,” he said.

According to Iyayi, the initiative is particularly important because airlines are now exempted from paying duties on imported aircraft spares, while other operators without such exemptions are still required to comply with duty payments. The new customs unit is being established to ensure proper oversight.

“You know airlines don’t pay duty on imports for spares and aircraft any longer. So, the customs are trying to establish a unit that will be charged with ensuring that every other operator or aircraft owner that does not enjoy the waiver for duty or the exemption from duty, pays duty, that’s one,” he explained.

Beyond duty enforcement, the trained personnel will also specialise in aviation operations, allowing them to handle industry-specific customs procedures more efficiently.

“Two, they also want to be able to have a specific desk of officers who are trained specifically for aviation operations. So, they know exactly what to look out for and what to do and how to do it,” Iyayi said.

He further emphasised the significance of this specialised customs desk in improving expertise within the service.

“That’s the essence of that desk. Setting it up within the customs department is to ensure that you have the requisite expertise within customs to be able to do all the necessary things,” he stated.

The initiative is expected to strengthen customs operations at airports and seaports, ensuring better regulatory compliance and efficiency in handling aviation-related imports and duties.