The Customs Area Controller of Tincan Island Port Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Joseph Anani, has commenced his stewardship with strategic engagements, inspections, and courtesy visits aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, fostering stakeholder confidence, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration.
As part of his familiarisation tour, Comptroller Anani conducted extensive inspections of Customs formations and terminals within the Command. The exercise provided first-hand knowledge of available facilities, officers’ working conditions, and the overall operational environment. He emphasized that improving workplace standards is critical to positioning officers to deliver effectively on the Service’s mandate.
In his maiden meeting with major freight forwarding associations—including ANLCA, NAGAFF, NCMDLCA, APFLON, and others—Comptroller Anani underscored the importance of compliance, professionalism, and partnership in achieving seamless trade operations. He outlined a blueprint anchored on strict adherence to Customs procedures and the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, warning against indiscipline or practices that undermine the Service’s integrity.
“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,” he stated.
He also hosted terminal operators, shipping companies, importers, exporters, and captains of industry at a roundtable meeting, pledging an open-door policy and a conducive environment that supports legitimate trade and economic growth. Terminal operators were urged to improve infrastructure and expand operational spaces to attract more vessel traffic and enhance port competitiveness.
Strengthening Security Collaboration
Recognizing the importance of inter-agency synergy, Comptroller Anani paid courtesy visits to CP Toyin Agbaminoja, Commissioner of Police, Port Authority Police (Western Command), and Commander Solomon Omotosho of the NDLEA. Both engagements reaffirmed commitments to intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement, and joint operations to safeguard lives, property, and national security while combating illicit trade and drug trafficking.
Commitment to Service Excellence
Comptroller Anani expressed gratitude to Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to consolidate existing achievements while advancing the Service’s core mandates. He noted that the Command will continue to align with the CGC’s policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation, serving as guiding principles for trade facilitation, revenue generation, stakeholder engagement, and national security.