The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has said it will continue to consolidate on the gains from its synergy with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). This it said has become necessary to stem the tide of piracy for the benefit of the creative sector.
Director-General, NCC, Dr. John O. Asein, stated this in Abuja in his goodwill message at the opening of the Management Retreat, Sensitisation Workshop and Public Enlightenment held rexently on the newly enacted Nigeria Customs Service Act.
Congratulating the NCS on the new Act which replaced the 64-year-old Customs and Excise Management Act, Asein thanked the Federal Government for the modernization efforts that also brought about the enactment of the Copyright Act, 2022, noting that both statutes would enhance collaboration between the two agencies for effective border measures.
A statement by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Augustine Amodu, said the Director-General, NCC also thanked the NCS for the longstanding collaboration between the two agencies which has helped to reduce the tide of piracy across the borders. “If not for the NCS the creative sector, particularly the book sector, would have been terribly battered”, he noted.
Dr. Asein expressed his pleasure that the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 in section 168 expressly grants the NCS powers to arrest, detain or seize any importation or exportation that infringes or contravenes the Copyright Act. He therefore called on the two agencies to work together under the new dispensation, in the spirit of the existing Memorandum of Understanding between them, to ensure that everything needed is in place including the electronic filing systems that will aid joint operations to check illicit imports.
The Director-General, NCC, thanked the NCS for the opportunity to interact with its top Management and looked forward to a rejuvenated Customs Service and a working relationship with the NCC that would help checkmate piracy and ensure more revenue for the creative sector.
In his opening address, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, thanked the former President for giving his assent to the Nigeria Customs Service Act, and the current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for keeping faith with the implementation of key provisions of the Act. He also thanked members of the 9th National Assembly for the expeditious consideration and passage of the Bill and his predecessor, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) for driving the process.
He noted that the old Act had been in operation for over six decades without any significant amendments notwithstanding the expansion in Government, growth in population and the dynamic progress and challenges in the conduct of international trade.
Noting the onerous task ahead of the Service, he assured all stakeholders that the agency will remain focused under the three pillars of consolidation, collaboration and innovation, in the discharge of its responsibilities.
“We are going to engage in very constructive consultations with members of the organised private sector and all the stakeholders to ensure that we reap maximum benefit from this Act,” he said.
The Ag. Comptroller-General also emphasised the commitment of the NCS towards the development of the creative industry in support of the mandate of the NCC to curb copyright piracy. He noted the need to consolidate on the achievements that had already been made by both agencies, promising to renew the existing collaboration to ensure that the country reaps maximum benefits from its creative industry.