Comptroller Anani Unveils Compliance Agenda, Trade Facilitation at Tincan Port

Comptroller Anani Unveils Compliance Agenda, Trade Facilitation at Tincan Port.

By Joe Njoku,
Global Freight News.

The new helmsman at the Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Joe Anani has started his stewardship of the Command with numbers of strategic engagements, inspections, and Courteney visits aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, fostering stakeholders confidence, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration.

As part of his familiarization tour, 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. 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.

In his maiden stakeholders engagement, Anani 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), APFLON, and other industry players. During the engagement, he emphasised the importance of compliance, professionalism, and partnership in achieving seamless trade operations.

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 therefore 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.

According to him, “We are setting a new tone anchored on compliance, collaboration, and service excellence. Every stakeholders has a role to play in making Tincan Island Port a model of trade facilitation and operational efficiency,” he said.

Comptroller Anani also hosted key stakeholders, including terminal operators, exporters, 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 growth.

I furtherance, he urged terminal operators exporters to improve infrastructure within their facilities and create additional spaces capable of attracting more vessel traffic, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and efficiency at the port.

Recognizing the importance of collaboration in achieving national security objectives, Comptroller Anani paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Port Authority Police (Western Command), CP Toyin Agbaminoja.
During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on issues relating to national security, port operations, and safety of lives and property. The Commissioner of Police pledged the continued support of the Nigeria Police Force through intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.

In a similar move to reinforce 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 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 therefore expressed profound appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR PhD 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 Nigeria Customs Service