INTERVIEW: How We’ve Tackled Illicit Imports, Boosted Trade at Port Harcourt — Compt. Atuluku

The Controller, Port Harcourt Area I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, PhD, speaks on the command’s recent interception of expired pharmaceutical products, the importance of inter-agency collaboration in securing the nation’s ports, revenue generation, infrastructure upgrades and the challenges affecting operations in this interview with members of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) during their tour of the Rivers Port Complex.

She also discusses the impact of the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive on trade facilitation and operational efficiency.

Excerpts.

Q: Your command recently intercepted a consignment of expired pharmaceutical products. How were you able to achieve this?

We were able to achieve this success through intelligence gathering and professionalism. Officers of the Port Harcourt Area I Command, Shed III, in collaboration with NAFDAC and other relevant government agencies, conducted a joint examination of a 1x40ft container, number MRSU3199206, C. No. 354, originating from the United States.

The container was found to contain 606 cartons of Ibuprofen Capsules, 173 cartons of Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets, 266 cartons of Subvenite (Lamotrigine) Tablets and 103 cartons of Lansoprazole Delayed Release Capsules, among other pharmaceutical products, with a CIF value of over N59 million.

The interception of this consignment prevented what could have been a major public health disaster. Expired medicines are not merely ineffective; they can pose serious health risks to consumers. The use of such products can result in treatment failure, drug toxicity, worsening of existing medical conditions, antimicrobial resistance and, in some cases, loss of lives.

Had these pharmaceutical products found their way into the market, they could have caused avoidable health complications with potentially devastating consequences.

Q: The seizure appears to underscore strong inter-agency collaboration at the port. Can you shed more light on this?

Yes, there is strong collaboration among the agencies. The interception and handover of the expired products further demonstrate the effective partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and NAFDAC in protecting the health and wellbeing of Nigerians. It also reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that only safe, genuine and properly regulated pharmaceutical products are allowed into the country.

I commend the dedication, professionalism and vigilance displayed by the officers of the Command, the Customs intelligence units, NAFDAC and other sister agencies that participated in the successful examination. Their collective effort once again demonstrated the importance of inter-agency collaboration in securing our ports and safeguarding the health of our citizens.

Q: What message does this seizure send to criminal networks involved in the importation of prohibited pharmaceutical products?

The Nigeria Customs Service will not condone any attempt by unscrupulous individuals or criminal networks to use our ports as channels for importing expired, substandard, falsified or prohibited pharmaceutical products into Nigeria. Such acts are unacceptable and constitute a direct threat to public health, national security and the integrity of our healthcare system.

The Port Harcourt Area I Command remains unwavering in its resolve to protect the nation’s borders against the importation of harmful and prohibited goods. We will continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance collaboration with sister agencies and sustain robust cargo examination to ensure that criminal elements do not exploit our ports for illicit trade.

Let this interception serve as a clear warning to those engaged in the importation of expired pharmaceutical products and other prohibited items that the Nigeria Customs Service is fully alert. We will continue to identify and intercept such goods, seize them and bring offenders to justice in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other extant laws.

I thank our sister agencies for their continued collaboration and assure the public that the Port Harcourt Area I Command will remain steadfast in its responsibility to protect our ports and contribute to the wellbeing of Nigerians.

Q: What are the major challenges you have faced since assuming office as Controller of the Port Harcourt Area I Command?

We have two major challenges. First, the area where vessels berth is very shallow, which affects the ability of larger vessels to berth efficiently.

Secondly, we have a challenge with the terminal operator, Ports and Terminal Operators Nigeria Limited, popularly called PTOL Terminal, which does not have adequate equipment. I have been engaging the terminal operator on the need to upgrade its facilities, but as I speak with you, we are still having issues with them. They have not done the needful.

So, those are the major challenges we are facing here.

Q: How would you assess the command’s performance in revenue generation?

Actually, when I assumed office here in 2025, I was able to meet my revenue target. Even now, I think God is helping us and we are getting closer to our target. So, the issue of revenue targets is not a problem at all as far as Port Harcourt Area I Command is concerned.

With the technology that has been put in place, particularly now that we are operating under the National Single Window, our activities have become more seamless. The Comptroller-General of Customs has done a lot to enhance our capacity to generate maximum revenue while facilitating trade.

Q: What would you consider your major achievements since assuming office?

There are some infrastructures here that were not in good condition when I assumed office. We have been able to upgrade some of them, particularly our medical facilities and storage facilities. The general office buildings have also received a facelift.

Enforcement has also improved. So, I think we have done a lot. Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, we have witnessed significant infrastructure upgrades in the command.

Q: How would you assess the ongoing Customs modernisation drive and its impact on operations?

The modernisation drive has made Customs operations more seamless and is one of the best things that could happen to the Service. It has helped us tremendously, particularly in the areas of ease of doing business and trade facilitation.

I wish to express my profound appreciation to the CGC and his management team, whose transformational leadership has continued to reposition the Service for greater efficiency and effectiveness. His unwavering commitment to intelligence-driven enforcement, inter-agency collaboration, trade facilitation and institutional reforms has empowered commands across the country to discharge their statutory responsibilities with renewed confidence and purpose.

The achievements recorded by the Port Harcourt Area I Command are a testament to his strategic guidance, continuous support and the clear policy direction he has provided for the Service.