COMPTROLLER ONYEKA ENGAGES OFFICERS ON CUSTOMS PROCEDURES, MEETS APFFLON MEMBERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
Kathy Kyari
The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has emphasized the importance of thorough cargo examinations before release, stressing that this will help reduce unnecessary stop-and-search actions outside the port.
Speaking during a parade on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Onyeka reminded officers of the need to uphold national security in all their operations. He also commended the workforce for their impressive revenue performance in January and urged them to maintain their dedication.
To further enhance efficiency, he announced plans for capacity-building workshops aimed at equipping both officers and stakeholders with deeper knowledge of Customs procedures.
In his address, the CAC also charged officers to remain professional and courteous in their interactions with the trading public, warning that misconduct would not be tolerated.
In the same vein, the Comptroller received the newly deployed Director of State Services, Mr. SM Kayode, as well as the Chairman of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Comrade Akeem Ayibojo, and his team.
The visits, held separately at the Command, reaffirmed the commitment of both organisations to strengthening collaboration for seamless port operations and the prevention of harmful imports.
During his meeting with APFFLON members, Onyeka addressed concerns raised about Customs operations and assured them of the Command’s dedication to the core policies of the Comptroller General of Customs—collaboration, consolidation, and innovation.
He urged stakeholders to stay updated on evolving policies, noting that the upcoming launch of the B'Odogwu clearance system by Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi would further enhance efficiency in cargo processing.
Speaking at the meeting, APFFLON Chairman Comrade Akeem Ayibojo said:
"We are here to express our intention to fully collaborate with the Customs Area Controller as we have all witnessed the introduction of the national single window. We shall also wish to speak about some of our challenges and seek to get some favourable responses from your good self, sir."
In response, Comptroller Onyeka expressed his appreciation for APFFLON’s continuous support:
"There is no gainsaying it that this collaboration is very good, and I have always had strong support from APFFLON. I remember being highly recommended by the words of an APFFLON member when I was the Deputy Comptroller, Valuation, at this Command, and I will surely never take your support for granted."
Other speakers at the meeting urged the CAC to maintain his open-door policy and ensure that his leadership continues to reflect positively in the way officers engage with stakeholders. They also called for equal concessions for all stakeholders.
In addressing concerns about procedural inefficiencies, Comptroller Onyeka encouraged APFFLON members to speak up whenever they noticed any lapses. He assured them that issues like multiple alerts on cargo clearance had been addressed through improved procedural diligence.
On complaints regarding network downtime affecting operations, Onyeka acknowledged the challenge but admitted that it was beyond his immediate control:
"I wish I could personally solve that matter, but it is a general problem that we must all keep speaking about until a lasting solution is found."
0 Comments