The Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday held a one-day sensitisation and training programme for car dealers and other stakeholders on the newly introduced Customs Verification Management System.

The training was conducted at the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ Auditorium in Kaduna.

Declaring the event open, the team lead for the sensitisation exercise, deputy comptroller Labaran Ahmed, said the service was undergoing a “remarkable transformation” under the leadership of the comptroller-general, Bashir Adeniyi.

He stated that the CVMS stood as one of the key innovations aimed at enhancing operational integrity and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders.

According to Mr Ahmed, the CVMS introduces two major improvements designed to redefine the verification and management of vehicle duty documentation. He said the first improvement simplification streamlines the entire process of confirming vehicle duty status by eliminating manual checks and reducing the need for multiple office visits.

The second accessibility improvement brings verification closer to end users, allowing them to confirm their duty status anywhere, anytime, on mobile devices or computers.

According to him, the system will reduce stress associated with vehicle clearance, minimise errors, and ensure that all stakeholders, including dealers, buyers, law enforcement agencies, and vehicle registration authorities, can make informed decisions based on accurate, up-to-date information.

In remarks delivered on behalf of the zonal coordinator, Abubakar Alkali, the revenue comptroller said the CVMS aligned with the comptroller general’s innovation agenda and the broader reforms currently underway in the NCS. He described the platform as a critical tool for improving transparency, accountability and ease of doing business in the automobile sector.

Mr Alkali said the system would help verify authentic vehicle import duty payments, eliminate the use of fake documents, reduce smuggling, and safeguard government revenue. He stressed that the initiative was created to support, not hinder, genuine car dealers by providing a simple, reliable mechanism to confirm a vehicle’s status before purchase, registration, or resale.

He urged participants to engage actively during the sensitisation, ask questions, and collaborate with the Service to ensure the system’s success.

Aminu Dankakalo, the chairman of the Car Dealers Association, Kaduna chapter, praised the NCS for its commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement. He expressed appreciation to the comptroller general and the CVMS sensitisation team for what he described as a highly impactful and well-delivered training session.

The chairman also commended the association’s members and other participants for their active contributions, noting that their engagement underscored the initiative’s importance to the growth and sustainability of the automobile business in Kaduna and beyond.

The sensitisation programme featured presentations, demonstrations and interactive sessions aimed at helping participants understand the workings and benefits of the new digital verification platform.

(NAN)