Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Rivers Area 2 Command, Onne, Comptroller Aliyu M. Alkali and those of Ibeto Command, Area 1 Command and the Eastern Marine Command, Usman Yahaya, Salamatu Atuluku and Anderson Jaja respectively engage in marathon visit of their critical stakeholders
Jude Nzennaya, Port Harcourt.
In an effort to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders operating at the Onne seaport, the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Onne Command in Eleme Rivers State, has expressed the Service’s commitment to enhance trade facilitation through active inter-agency collaboration.
A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Theophilus P. Duniya, said Comptroller Aliyu M. Alkali, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) recently commenced a series of visits to engage stakeholders and sister agencies within the port environment.
The CPRO said the visits were designed to promote cooperation, intelligence sharing, and regulatory compliance across government agencies to achieve seamless objectives.
During his visits, Comptroller Alkali met with the Commander of Narcotics at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Omerio Mathias Odo, the Commandant Nigerian Navy Basic Training School in Onne, Rear Admiral Victor D. Choji, and the Director of State Security Service for Port Harcourt Ports Command. Commenting on the critical role of teamwork and synergy among agencies to drive progress and meet organizational goals effectively, Comptroller Alkali reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR’s policy agenda which stands on the tripod of consolidation, collaboration and innovation. Comptroller Aliyu believes that the engagements will foster stronger relationships and promote adherence to regulations.
Also, stakeholders has expressed willingness to cooperate with Comptroller Alkali and his team to realize these objectives.
Omerio Mathias Odo the Commander of Narcotics did pledged to work alongside the customs to minimize illicit drug into the Nation. While the Navy Commandant reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s support to maritime security and that of Customs operations within legal boundaries.
Accordingly Comptroller Alkali’s proactive approach to stakeholder engagement and his dedication to improving revenue collection, regulatory compliance, and security at the Onne Seaport.
In another development, the CAC of the Eastern Marine Command (EMC), Port Harcourt, Comptroller Anderson Jaja, has commenced a familiarization tour of formations and key stakeholders within his Area of Responsibility (AoR), aimed at fostering stronger collaboration and enhancing maritime security along the nation’s waterways.
This was contained in a release by the Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Tangwa Emmanuel, the CPRO of the Command, who said the mission started with a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, King Ateke Tom, the Amanayabo of the Ancient Okochiri Kingdom in Okrika, Rivers State.
Comptroller Jaja appreciated the monarch for his continuous support towards maintaining peace and security within his domain. Also, he soughted the royal father’s collaboration in strengthening the operational effectiveness of the Marine route especially in the areas of intelligence sharing and community partnership.
The visit took the Controller to the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, where he was received by the Commanding Officer, Captain Aliyu Abdullahi. Jaja conveyed the message of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir A Adeniyi of cooperation and commended the Navy for its sustained efforts in protecting the nation’s maritime borders.
Jaja emphasised the importance of continuous inter-agency collaboration to promote legitimate trade and curb smuggling, noting that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) remains committed to enhancing maritime security and intelligence-sharing mechanisms across operational areas.
In his response, Captain Abdullahi assured the CAC of the Navy’s readiness to strengthen existing collaboration with the NCS in achieving national security objectives within the Ibaka axis.
Still on the move, Comptroller Jaja led his team to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder Base, Port Harcourt, he was received by Commodore Cajetan Aniaku, the Base Commander. He reiterated the need for sustained synergy in maritime surveillance, logistics support, and tactical training of Eastern Maritime Command (EMC) officers to boost operational efficiency in combating piracy and smuggling activities along the marine route.
Commodore Aniaku, in his remarks, congratulated the Comptroller-General of Customs, (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, on his recent appointment as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council and the award of a PhD in Leadership and Strategic Studies by the Federal University, Lokoja. He further commended Comptroller Jaja and his team for their visit and reaffirmed the Navy’s steady commitment to continued inter-agency cooperation.
The CAC of Area 1 Command, Port Harcourt, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, has also embarked on a familiarization and stakeholder engagement tour of major facilities within the command’s operations. In an effort to strengthen collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and key players in the excise and bonded warehouses.
In a statement by the CPRO, Barilule Aanee, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC 1), he stated that the Service remained committed to fostering an environment where legitimate trade can thrive alongside effective enforcement of government fiscal policies.
The report said the visit to the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), International Breweries Plc, QuickA and Express Concerns Bonded Warehouses, were part of the command’s effort to promote efficient trade facilitation and ensure compliance with excise and customs regulations.
Comptroller Atuluku announced that customs cannot work in isolation, adding that Custom’s success depends on the level of cooperation they receive from their stakeholders.
Comptroller Atuluku, noted that sustained engagement with industry operators would help the command to identify challenges, strengthen compliance culture, and develop joint solutions to improve service delivery.
She commended NBC and International Breweries, for their firm compliance with excise laws and their contributions to national development, through job creation and tax revenue. assured them of the command’s continued partnership to maintain a transparent and business-friendly environment.
During her inspections at Quick A and Express Concerns Bonded Warehouses, the amazon disclosed the importance of accurate inventory management, proper documentation, and strict adherence to customs procedures, she warned against practices that could undermine revenue generation, while urging operators to uphold high standards of compliance.
Responding, the management teams of the facilities visited, described the comptroller’s visit as both timely and encouraging, noting that constant direct engagement with customs leadership will provide a valuable platform for dialogue and collaboration on operational challenges.
Comptroller Atuluku reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining a robust relationship with stakeholders in the maritime and excise sectors, while pledging that the command would continue to pursue the Service’s mandate with vigor, transparency, and professionalism she noted.
She also stated that the engagement is expected to form part of a broader strategy to deepen trust, promote compliance, and enhance operational efficiency across the excise and bonded warehouse value chain, as the core pillars of the Nigeria Customs Service’s modernization drive.
The Amazon assures stakeholders of the command’s continued partnership to maintain a transparent and business-friendly environment
In the same vein, the CAC of Area 5 Command, Ibeto Seaport and Terminals, Comptroller Usman Yahaya paid a courtesy visit on the Commissioner of police in charge of Eastern ports comprising of Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne and Calabar Ports.
In a release by Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Emmanuel Tangwa the CPRO, during the visit, Comptroller Yahaya informed the police Chief that he had come to formally introduce himself to him and to seek his collaboration and synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Marine Police.
According to the statement, Comptroller Yahaya emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing, joint operations and mutual support in achieving the Customs’ core objectives of trade facilitation, anti-smuggling and revenue generation.
The Comptroller was quoted as describing inter-agency collaboration as crucial to the success of border management and port security, adding that the shared operational environment required a continuous partnership and trust among all stakeholders.
In his response, the Eastern Ports Commissioner of Police (CP) Michael Okoh warmly welcomed the Comptroller and his entourage, commended him for the visit and show of inter-agency respect which according to him underscored the long standing relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force, citing examples of Joint training programs and institutional collaboration at the police and customs training schools in Ikeja ,Lagos.
The statement noted that the Commissioner offered prayers of thanksgiving for Comptroller Yahaya and his team and wished them success in their assignments, reaffirming his Command’s readiness to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service for security and economic well being of the nation.
In the same vein, the Director of Operations Marine Division of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Nigeria (NAFDAC), Adepoju Bayo, who paid a courtesy visit to the Controller, stated that the visit was as a gesture of goodwill and Strategic collaboration focused on strengthening the working relationship between (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria customs service (NCS), specially in the areas of enforcement against illicit importation regulated products.
Earlier in his remark, the Director commended the Comptroller and his team for their dedication and reiterated that National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Nigeria (NAFDAC) commitment to joint operations aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with national trade standards.
Reacting, Comptroller Yahaya appreciated the visit and pledged to sustain strong inter-agency collaboration, describing it as one of the key pillars of the policy trust of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, tripod on collaboration, consolidation and Innovation.
The Ibeto Customs boss expressed confidence that with continued partnership among sister agencies, the Ibeto Seaport and Terminals Command would achieve greater efficiency in trade facilitation, enforcement and service delivery.
