The new Customs Area Controller of the Tincan Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, has begun his tenure with a series of strategic engagements aimed at boosting trade facilitation, strengthening compliance, and enhancing collaboration with stakeholders and security agencies.
According to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Oscar Ivara, Comptroller Anani commenced operations with an extensive inspection of Customs formations and terminals within the Command to assess facilities, officers’ welfare, and operational conditions.
The tour, his first official assignment since assuming office, was designed to identify areas requiring improvement and ensure officers are well-positioned to effectively deliver on the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
As part of efforts to foster stronger stakeholder relations, Anani held 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), National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), APFLON, and other industry players.
During the engagement, he stressed the importance of compliance, professionalism, and collaboration in achieving seamless port operations and efficient trade facilitation.
The Controller said his administration would be guided by strict adherence to Customs procedures and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, warning against misconduct and 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 Tincan Island Port a model of trade facilitation and operational efficiency,” Anani said.
He also convened a roundtable meeting with terminal operators, shipping companies, importers, exporters, and other key industry stakeholders, assuring them of an open-door policy and a conducive business environment that supports legitimate trade and economic growth.
Anani urged terminal operators to improve infrastructure and expand operational spaces within their facilities to attract more vessel traffic and enhance the port’s competitiveness.
In furtherance of inter-agency cooperation, the Customs boss paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Port Authority Police (Western Command), CP Toyin Agbaminoja, where both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security collaboration, intelligence sharing, and operational coordination within the port environment.
He also visited the Commander of Narcotics of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Commander Solomon Omotosho, to discuss measures aimed at combating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
The discussions focused on intelligence-driven operations, information sharing, and coordinated enforcement actions to prevent illicit narcotics from passing through the nation’s ports.
Anani expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him through his appointment and pledged to build on existing achievements while advancing the Service’s core mandates.
He noted that the Tincan Island Port Command would continue to align with the Comptroller-General’s policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation to enhance trade facilitation, revenue generation, stakeholder engagement, and national security.
