The new Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Tincan Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka is poised to harness the full economic potential of the port for maximum benefit to the country
By Edu Abade
Early in December 2024, management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) deployed Comptroller Frank Onyeka to the Tincan Island Port Command as the new Customs Area Controller (CAC). Until his recent redeployment, Onyeka was the Deputy Comptroller (DC) in charge of the Apapa Premier Port gates.
As one of the newest CACs, Onyeka is seen in Customs circle as a versatile customs chief with special skills to achieve the best of results. His stint at the Onne Port Gates in Rivers State put him on the spotlight as one of the finest officers of the Service.
He worked tirelessly to take effective charge of the Onne Port Gates, which are known for their notoriety and as such saved the country loss of revenue, as well as protected it against the influx of dangerous smuggled items, including drugs, arms and ammunition, among others.
At the Apapa Port Customs Command where he was the Officer-in-Charge of the Premier Port Gates, Onyeka was acknowledged as an outstanding officer whose occupation of the port gates contributed to the giant strides the Command is making under Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the incumbent CAC.
Specifically, the Apapa Customs Command’s former Officer-in-Charge of Revenue, officially referred to as the APM, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, once told a group of journalists that Onyeka’s position as the Head of the port gates at Apapa Port was instrumental to the numerous seizures recorded by the Command and its constantly increasing revenue generation.
Now, coming to head the Tincan Island Port Command, which has been in constant turmoil and collision with some sections of the business community over leadership failure, Onyeka is seen as a round peg in a round hole, considering his antecedents in managing critical issues that have to do with the customs administration.
Many stakeholders and the business community at the Tincan Island Port have also given thumbs up to the customs management under the leadership of Adewale Adeniyi as the Comptroller General for its decision to appoint Onyeka as the CAC of Tincan Island Port Customs Command.
The stakeholders agree that with the coming on board of Onyeka, there will be far reaching improvements in business activities in the port, as well as trade facilitation initiatives that can pull out hidden revenues and bring more investments into the country.
Also speaking on condition of anonymity, a businessman in the port told this medium that Onyeka has a plan and capacity to reposition the Command to achieve the full potential of the Tincan Island Port.
He also said after the new CAC has unleashed his dependable leadership acumen on the Command, all the issues that made the port a volatile business environment, will be nipped in the bud.
Meanwhile, during a recent parley with journalists in Lagos, Onyeka reeled out his plans to reposition the Command, maintaining that he was determined to build on the gains of his predecessors and achieve maximum revenue collection.
He pointed out that the Nigeria Customs Service is expected to play a critical role in the funding of the Federal Government’s N47.9 trillion 2025 Budget and the Tin Can Port Command will contribute immensely as the second largest port with anticipated high volume of trade.
The Tin Can Island Command helmsman described his new task as a call to higher duty, while reassuring that with the support of his officers and stakeholders, the service revenue goals would be achieved without compromising national security and economy
He assured of an open door policy to address stakeholder concerns and ensure swift trade dispute resolution to avoid any form of delay at the port.
Onyeka, who commended the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) and his management team for the opportunity to serve at the command, promised to adhere to the three policy thrusts of the CGC on Consultation, Consolidation and Innovation.
He also stressed the need for all-inclusivity, urging officers to uphold professionalism, discipline and core values while adhering to the recently enacted Customs Act.
“It is therefore my resolve to work in sync and in tandem with those policy thrusts, for us to create a reciprocal balance of equity and trade value chain. I shall strive to ensure facilitation of legitimate trade. We will be guided by the principle of all- inclusivity because we cannot afford to operate alone,” he stated.
Comptroller Onyeka commended security agencies for their collaboration and synergy and solicited enhanced cooperation to achieve the goals of the Command.
