The laboratory will conduct various tests to verify the authenticity of products, assess their material composition, evaluate their quality, and ensure their safety. This includes examining the chemical makeup of items, verifying their correct assembly, and confirming their compliance with established standards.
Adeniyi said that the customs service is open to collaborating with other organizations, utilizing their equipment and expertise when necessary, this partnerships may include government agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, as well as academic laboratories in universities.
The plan is to establish these laboratories in various regions of the country, particularly in areas with ports such as Lagos, Port-Harcourt, and potentially Kano, with a central laboratory located in Abuja.
During the meeting, Adeniyi discussed other ongoing projects at the NCS, one such project is the Time Release Study (TRS), which aims to identify bottlenecks in the clearance process, ultimately enhancing speed and transparency.
he also said another project is the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program, supported by the World Customs Organization and set to commence in April.
This program will offer special benefits to participating businesses, such as expedited customs clearance and reduced checks.