The Customs Area Comptroller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, has commenced his stewardship of the Command with inspections, stakeholder engagements, and security partnerships.
This follows a series of strategic engagements, inspections, and courtesy visits aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, fostering stakeholder confidence, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Oscar Ivara, made this known in a statement dated June 12.
Comptroller Anani conducted an extensive inspection of Customs formations and terminals within the Command to obtain first-hand knowledge of available facilities, assess officers’ working conditions, and evaluate the overall operational environment as part of his familiarisation tour.
The inspection which signaled his first assignment was aimed at improving workplace standards and ensuring that officers are adequately positioned to deliver on the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
In his maiden stakeholder engagement, the Comptroller convened a strategic meeting with major freight forwarding associations, including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), and other industry players.
Speaking during the engagement, he emphasised the importance of compliance, professionalism, and partnership in achieving seamless trade operations.
Comptroller Anani outlined a blueprint anchored on total compliance with all Customs procedures and extant laws, particularly the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. He called for higher standards in all port transactions and warned against any form of indiscipline, misconduct, or practices capable of undermining the integrity of the Service.
“We are setting a new tone anchored on compliance, collaboration, and service excellence. Every stakeholder has a role to play in making Tin Can Island Port a model of trade facilitation and operational efficiency,” he said.
The Comptroller also hosted key stakeholders, including terminal operators, shipping companies, importers, exporters, and captains of industry, at a roundtable meeting designed to chart a progressive course for the Command.
He assured stakeholders of an open-door policy and pledged to create a conducive environment that supports legitimate trade and economic growth.
He further urged terminal operators to improve infrastructure within their facilities and create additional operational spaces capable of attracting more vessel traffic, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and efficiency at the port.
Similarly, Comptroller Anani paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Port Authority Police (Western Command), CP Toyin Agbaminoja, highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving national security objectives.
During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on issues relating to national security, port operations, and the safety of lives and property. CP Agbaminoja pledged the continued support of the Nigeria Police Force through intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.
As part of efforts to intensify the fight against illicit trade and transnational crimes, Comptroller Anani visited the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Commander Solomon Omotosho.
During the visit, both agencies discussed strategies for sustained synergy in combating drug trafficking and the activities of drug peddlers operating within and around the port environment. They emphasised the need for intelligence-driven operations, information sharing, and coordinated enforcement actions to prevent the movement of illicit narcotics through the nation’s gateways.
Comptroller Anani expressed profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him through his appointment as the Customs Area Controller of the nation’s premier port command.
He pledged to justify the trust by consolidating on existing achievements while advancing the core mandates of the Service.
He further stated that the Command will continue to be guided by the policy thrust of CGC Adeniyi, anchored on Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation, in enhancing trade facilitation, revenue generation, stakeholder engagement, and national security.