The Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday said the revenue generation agency has been doing everything possible to promote trade facilitation at the ports for the economic wellbeing of all Nigerians.
Comptroller of the Command, Frank Onyeka, who disclosed that the Command collected the sum of N747,079,233,259.91 as revenue for the first half of the year, explained that part of the measures put in place is to introduce ‘policy of collectable revenue instead of maximum revenue’.
He said this was in line with present administration’s renewed hope agenda for Nigerians.
The Controller in a roundtable parley with members of the League of Maritime Editors & Publishers (LOME) further explained that this is specifically aimed at promoting and encouraging quick turnover for the importers.
He disclosed that on assuming office about six months ago, he had to address the issue of multiple alerts which many had complained about.
He said this led to the emphasis placed on examination of containers as very necessary to check how compliant the traders are, adding that this has given the Command the needed result.
The Controller, however, explained that the Command in promoting trade facilitation does not joke with observation of rules and regulations in trade by importers and freight forwarders.
According to him, the Command spends time to create awareness on the need to keep to the rules of the game, assuring that those who are compliant to the trade rules are not choked.
He also said that once containers are opened for examination, and there is compliance, clearance of such goods is not delayed.
“We do this to promote trade. We have the support of the trading community. We are also working to ensure that the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda’ on trade succeeds. What we preach is that importers keep to the rules and regulations. By this we talk to our partners, importers and freight forwarders to be compliant if they want the best”.
He admitted that on assumption of office one of the complaints received was the interception of released containers in transit by Marine Police and the Federal Operation Unit(FOU) of Customs, but he advised on the strategy of leaving containers open for examination any time.
Section 29 of the Police Act allows police officers to stop and search individuals and conveyances, including containers, if they have a reasonable suspicion of stolen or unlawfully obtained goods. Based on credible intelligence, they are mandated to hand over the container and any findings to the appropriate agency.
However, the Nigeria Marine Police which has turned its self to another revenue generating unit, levies containers discretionally and release them.
While the CAC’s advice has largely solved the problem, he added that the Command has a robust dispute resolution team that treats matters with dispatch, adding that the secret of their success so far is continuous engagement with stakeholders
Oneyka expressed optimism that the Command will meet its N1.5trillion revenue target for the year considering the revenue figure already recorded.
He stated that he has done about 98percent of what he is supposed to do as a Controller, revealing that the Command has been enjoying tremendous support from the CGC Adewale Adeniyi to succeed in given mandate.
He described the B’ Odogwu technology as among the best thing that has happened to the Customs Service, saying it has ended the network issue suffered in the past while processing documents for clearance.
According to him, B’ Odogwu is a game changer, stating that with the local technology, any issue that comes up is sorted out and work continues.
On whether he would want to encourage more bonded terminals, he pointed out that there are lots of leakages in their operations.
He made it clear that he is usually not comfortable with some of the bonded terminals, disclosing that when three containers are stemmed for bonded terminals, there may not be any assurance that all of them will get there.
Besides, he said, even if all get to the terminals, not all of them may be examined.
To ensure that all containers going to the bonded terminals are examined, he said he makes sure that video of the examination is sent to him by a high ranking officer.
On how he has been achieve so much within a short space of time, the Controller said he has been insisting on due diligence, compliance and stakeholders engagement.
On whether the rise of the Command’s revenue has to do with the nation’s exchange rate with other foreign currencies, he dismissed this, explaining that it has been as a result of enduring marketing strategy, the support and dedication of his management team.
