Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA98
2009-01-16 12:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: NEW CUSTOMS COMPTROLLER GENERAL
how-toVZCZCXRO8801 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #0098 0161237 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 161237Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5053 INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0666 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
UNCLAS ABUJA 000098
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT PASS TO USTR-AGAMA AND GARDE; PTO FOR HICKEY; LOC FOR USCO
PPINHA
TREASURY FOR PETERS AND HALL
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS AND 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/DHARRIS
USDA/FAS/OTP FOR MCKENZIE
DOJ FOR MKOUAME
SECSTATE PASS TO USAID/AFR FOR ATWOOD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR ECON EAGR EINV EAID PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NEW CUSTOMS COMPTROLLER GENERAL
REF: A. 08 ABUJA 2360 12/3
B. 08 ABUJA 2295 11/21 Nov IP team
C. 08 ABUJA 1925 9/26
D. 08 ABUJA 1275
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR DISTRO OUTSIDE USG
UNCLAS ABUJA 000098
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT PASS TO USTR-AGAMA AND GARDE; PTO FOR HICKEY; LOC FOR USCO
PPINHA
TREASURY FOR PETERS AND HALL
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS AND 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/DHARRIS
USDA/FAS/OTP FOR MCKENZIE
DOJ FOR MKOUAME
SECSTATE PASS TO USAID/AFR FOR ATWOOD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR ECON EAGR EINV EAID PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NEW CUSTOMS COMPTROLLER GENERAL
REF: A. 08 ABUJA 2360 12/3
B. 08 ABUJA 2295 11/21 Nov IP team
C. 08 ABUJA 1925 9/26
D. 08 ABUJA 1275
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR DISTRO OUTSIDE USG
1. (SBU) Former Nigerian Customs Comptroller General Alhaji Hamman
Bello Ahmed resigned on January 14, 2009 and handed over his
position to Dr. B. E. Nwadialo. H. B. Ahmed is retiring because he
has reached the mandatory retirement age of 60. The media has
reported that there are tensions within Customs on whether Nwadialo
is the correct choice and whether his appointment has been approved
by the Ministry of Finance, which has authority over Customs. There
has been no official announcement from the Nigerian government
regarding his appointment.
2. (SBU) The Mission is heavily engaged with Customs to - improve
intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement, increase efficiency
at the borders for imports; and adoption of a trade policy regime
that removes import bans, inline with Nigeria's World Trade
Organization commitments (reftels B & D). Customs has already
expressed strong interest in collaborating on several USG IP and
trade initiatives in 2009:
-- February 3-4, 2009 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
Council Meeting in Washington, DC.
-- April 7-9, 2009 workshop on IP enforcement at the borders.
-- May 2009 workshop with Customs and U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office.
3. (SBU) Comment: Nwadialo is an experienced officer, former
professor and was Deputy Comptroller General before his appointment.
His section has worked closely with the USG in improving Customs
engagement on intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement and was
responsible for new regulations published in September 2008 that
gave Customs authority to prosecute IPR pirates (reftels A & C). He
has participated in IPR training in the United Kingdom and is
adjudged to have a vast knowledge of IPR. If Nwadialo's position is
solidified, his previous knowledge and cooperation with the USG
should lead to improved communication and working relationship with
the USG on IPR and trade related issues. End Comment
4. (U) This cable was coordinated with ConGen Lagos.
PIASCIK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT PASS TO USTR-AGAMA AND GARDE; PTO FOR HICKEY; LOC FOR USCO
PPINHA
TREASURY FOR PETERS AND HALL
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS AND 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/DHARRIS
USDA/FAS/OTP FOR MCKENZIE
DOJ FOR MKOUAME
SECSTATE PASS TO USAID/AFR FOR ATWOOD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR ECON EAGR EINV EAID PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NEW CUSTOMS COMPTROLLER GENERAL
REF: A. 08 ABUJA 2360 12/3
B. 08 ABUJA 2295 11/21 Nov IP team
C. 08 ABUJA 1925 9/26
D. 08 ABUJA 1275
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR DISTRO OUTSIDE USG
1. (SBU) Former Nigerian Customs Comptroller General Alhaji Hamman
Bello Ahmed resigned on January 14, 2009 and handed over his
position to Dr. B. E. Nwadialo. H. B. Ahmed is retiring because he
has reached the mandatory retirement age of 60. The media has
reported that there are tensions within Customs on whether Nwadialo
is the correct choice and whether his appointment has been approved
by the Ministry of Finance, which has authority over Customs. There
has been no official announcement from the Nigerian government
regarding his appointment.
2. (SBU) The Mission is heavily engaged with Customs to - improve
intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement, increase efficiency
at the borders for imports; and adoption of a trade policy regime
that removes import bans, inline with Nigeria's World Trade
Organization commitments (reftels B & D). Customs has already
expressed strong interest in collaborating on several USG IP and
trade initiatives in 2009:
-- February 3-4, 2009 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
Council Meeting in Washington, DC.
-- April 7-9, 2009 workshop on IP enforcement at the borders.
-- May 2009 workshop with Customs and U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office.
3. (SBU) Comment: Nwadialo is an experienced officer, former
professor and was Deputy Comptroller General before his appointment.
His section has worked closely with the USG in improving Customs
engagement on intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement and was
responsible for new regulations published in September 2008 that
gave Customs authority to prosecute IPR pirates (reftels A & C). He
has participated in IPR training in the United Kingdom and is
adjudged to have a vast knowledge of IPR. If Nwadialo's position is
solidified, his previous knowledge and cooperation with the USG
should lead to improved communication and working relationship with
the USG on IPR and trade related issues. End Comment
4. (U) This cable was coordinated with ConGen Lagos.
PIASCIK