Concerned about the need to strengthen national security from the seaports, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Tincan Island Port in Apapa, Lagos, Frank Onyeka has charged officers of his command to always conduct thorough examination of cargoes before their release from the port.
Speaking during a parade on Tuesday, Comptroller Onyeka urged officers to carry out diligent inspections to avoid unnecessary stop-and-search actions upon departure. He highlighted the need for national security to be prioritized in all decisions.
Comptroller Onyeka also commended the workforce for their contributions to the Command’s revenue performance in January and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.
According to a statement by the command’s spokesman, Oscar Ivara, the CAC also “announced plans to organize capacity-building workshops aimed at enhancing the knowledge of both officers and stakeholders on Customs processes.”
Ivara said the controller further cautioned officers to maintain professionalism and civility in their interactions with the trading public, warning that any reports of misconduct would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Comptroller Onyeka has received delegates of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) attached to the Tincan port and Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (AFPLON).
According to Ivara, the newly deployed Director of DSS, Mr. SM Kayode, and the Executive Chairman of APFLON, Alhaji Akeem Ayibojo and his members were on a familiarisation visits to the CAC.
The visits, held separately within the Command, reaffirmed the commitment of both organizations to collaborate in ensuring smooth port operations and preventing the entry of harmful products.
“The Comptroller, while reacting to some of the technical issues raised by APFLON, clarified that the Command is repositioned towards promoting the three core mandates of the Comptroller General of Customs which are to collaborate, consolidate and innovate, towards creating a safe and conducive working environment that will not pose a threat to the Nation and it citizenry,” Ivara stated.
The controller called on all the stakeholders to broaden their knowledge on the implementation of new policies of the service and that the soon-to-be launched B’Odogwu clearance system in the Command by the Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, will further boost the efficiency of Customs operations.
