The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Tin-can Island Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi has called for support from the maritime media to make the ongoing Time Release Study (TRS) at the port a great success.
Nnadi also inducted Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, President of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) as Time Release Study (TRS) Ambassador.
The induction ceremony took place on Friday, July 12 at the MARAN International Press Center located at 13C Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos.
“With her large population and natural resources to attract foreign investment, Nigeria occupies an important position in not only West Africa, but the whole of the continent. Journalists must focus on the resources and overall potential and economic prowess of the country. Our ports remain the biggest and the busiest in West Africa,” Nnadi said.
While inducting the MARAN president as TRS ambassador, Nnadi said Bivbere is an experienced maritime journalist with a deep understanding and knowledge of all the issues in the port.
Customs Area Controller, Tincan Port, Apapa, Lagos, Comptroller Dera Nnadi (left) and President of MARAN, Godfrey Bivbere during the later’s induction as a media ambassador for Time Release Study, Tincan Port at the MARAN Secretariat, recently.
The Customs Controller said: “Mr. Bivbere, a seasoned maritime journalist was chosen as ambassador for this leadership role in steering the affairs of the three decade old maritime industry reporters, in addition to his contribution to developmental journalism and vast knowledge of industry, including customs trade and procedures.
“As TRS Ambassador, he will play a crucial role in promoting the use of Time Release Study, a tool used to measure the time it takes to clear cargo from the port.”
Recall that cargo clearance time from the nation’s ports have been speculated to be the longest in the sub-region (some say even in the continent) without any verifiable proof, a situation that led to the commissioning of the TRS.
The TRS is commissioned to scientifically ascertain the exact time it takes for cargoes to pass through the various units, Customs, terminal operators, shipping lines etc; from the time they are discharged from the vessel up until the exit the port.
World Customs Organisation (WCO) assisted TRS was launched by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi in Lagos with Tin-can Island Port (TICP) as the pilot scheme in February 2024.
Tin-can Port according to Nnadi was chosen for the TRS because of the delay in cargo release which was already known about the port.
Comptroller Nnadi in his remarks, emphasized the importance of TRS in enhancing trade facilitation and revenue collection.
He charged Mr. Bivbere to use his expertise to promote the adoption of TRS by all stakeholders in the trade chain.
Mr. Bivbere, in his acceptance speech, thanked the Tin-can Controller and the NCS for the honour and pledged to work tirelessly to promote TRS and improve Nigeria’s trade facilitation landscape.
The induction ceremony was witnessed by customs officials from Tin-can port and journalists covering the maritime beat.
