The Controller of Tincan Island Port Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Frank Onyeka has charged officers to be vigilant and dedicated during inspections to ensure the security and integrity of the port.
In a statement issued by Oscar Ivara, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Comptroller Onyeka gave the charge during a parade on Tuesday, stressing the importance of conducting thorough examinations of consignments before their release from the port.
The Comptroller also urged officers to carry out diligent inspections to avoid unnecessary stop-and-search actions upon departure, maintaining that national security should be prioritised in all decisions.
He commended the workforce for their contributions to the Command’s revenue performance in January, encouraging them to continue striving for excellence – and announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops aimed at enhancing the knowledge of both officers and stakeholders on Customs’ processes.
Onyeka enjoined officers to maintain professionalism and civility in their interactions with the trading public, warning that any reports of misconduct would not be tolerated.
“In a another development, Comptroller Onyeka played host to the newly deployed Director of State Services, Mr. SM Kayode, and the Executive Chairman of Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFLON), Alhaji Akeem Ayibojo and his members who paid familiarisation visits to the Command.
“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 statement noted.
Responding to some of the technical issues raised by APFLON, the Tincan Island Customs boss explained that the Command is repositioned towards promoting the three core mandates of the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which are to collaborate, consolidate and innovate.
The mandates, he said, are aimed at creating a safe and conducive working environment that will not pose a threat to the nation and its citizenry.
He called on all the stakeholders to broaden their knowledge on the implementation of new policies of the Service, adding that the imminent launch of B’Odogwu clearance system in the Command by Comptroller Adeniyi will further boost the efficiency of Customs’ operations.
