NCC, NCS Collaborate on Intelligence Sharing, Joint Inspection at Seaports

AS part of measures to curb the influx of pirated books into the country, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have agreed to commence tactical intelligence sharing and joint inspection at seaports.

This collaboration was formalised during a courtesy visit by the Director of the NCC Port Harcourt Office, Mr. Abdul-Salami B. Babatunde, to the Comptroller of Customs, Area 1 Command, Mr. Y.A. Hashim on 11th September, 2024.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Babatunde highlighted the negative impacts of pirated books on Nigeria’s publishing industry and the nation’s economy and requested increased support through enhanced intelligence sharing to block the cross-border movement of counterfeit materials.

The Comptroller, Customs Area 1 Command, Mr. Y.A. Hashim pledged his Command’s readiness to share intelligence on any container with copyrighted materials and expressed commitment to joint inspections between the Customs Service and the NCC.

He further assured that his Command would provide maximum support to the Commission and facilitate joint inspections of containers with copyrighted materials between the Service and the NCC whenever necessary.

The Customs’ team at the meeting included Head of the Customs Intelligence Unit for Port Harcourt Airport and Operatives from the NCC, Port Harcourt Office.

 

Andrew Dyege