By Innocent Orok
In his continuous collaboration with various stakeholders, Comptroller Frank Onyeka of Tin Can Island Port Customs Command has stressed the importance of conducting thorough examinations on consignments before their release from the port.
Speaking during his first parade with officers at the command on Tuesday, he urged officers to carry out diligent inspections on goods to avoid unnecessary stop-and-search actions upon departure. He highlighted the need for National security to be prioritised in all decisions.
Comptroller Onyeka also commended the officers and Men of the command for their contributions to the Command’s revenue performance in January, encouraging them to continue striving for excellence. He announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for officers aimed at enhancing the knowledge of both officers and stakeholders on Customs processes.
Additionally, he cautioned 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 Frank Onyeka on Wednesday played host to the newly deployed Director of State Services Mr SM Kayode, and the Tin Can Island Port Command Chairman of Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) Comrade Akeem Ayibojo and his team who paid familiarization visits to the Command.
The visits reaffirmed the commitment of both organisations to collaborate in ensuring smooth port operations and preventing the entry of harmful products.
Comptroller Onyeka while reacting to some of the technical issues raised by APFFLON, clarified that the Command is repositioned towards promoting the three core policies 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 any threat to the nation and it citizenry.
He 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 CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi will further boost the efficiency of Customs operations.
Speaking at the meeting, the APFFLON chairman 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”.
While responding, Comptroller Onyeka said “There is no gain saying it that this collaboration is very good and I have always had a very good support from APFFLON. I remember being highly recommended by the words of an APFFLON member when I was the Deputy Compttroller, Valuation at this Command then and will surely never take your support for granted”.
Speakers at the meeting urged the CAC to continue to be the listening helmsman that he is and also to make sure that his leadership qualities continue to reflect on the manner with which his officers relate with stakeholders. They equally asked for the same concession that every other stakeholder gets.
