MAJAN Visits Tin Can Island Port Command, Reassured of Seamless Business Environment
MAJAN Visits Tin Can Island Port Command, Reassured of Seamless Business Environment
…CAC FO Onyeka expects to leave Tin Can Port as the greatest in Nigeria
By Ebenezer William
The Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), paid a courtesy call to the Tin Can Island Port Command on Tuesday. The visit which was led by the association’s president, Jerry Aguigbo sought to communicate with the Command and its activities.
During the visit, Mr Aguigbo highlighted the strategic importance of the Tin Can Island Port Command in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
He commended CAC Onyeka for implementing strategies that have yielded positive results within a short period. Jerry stated, “Since your assumption as the CAC, you have taken measures that agents and freight forwarders have been enthusiastic about. We are here to know more about your activities and to familiarize ourselves.”
In response, CAC FO Onyeka expressed his commitment to ensuring seamless operations for compliant traders. He emphasized the Command’s intention to free bottlenecks in its operation and create a friendly environment for businesses while maintaining compliance with regulations.
“We are here to make things seamless for people to operate. I want Tin Can Island Port to be the most friendly port in the Federation,” Onyeka said.
He also addressed concerns about multiple alerts, explaining that efforts are being made to eliminate redundant alerts and streamline processes.
Onyeka assured that the Command is focused on creating a smooth operational experience for all stakeholders whereby every sincere trader would have no reason to fear.
In addition to the CAC’s comments Deputy Comptroller Admi, DC S.O Aribiyi, and Deputy Comptroller Revenue, DC IS Ofoegbu, clarified issues bordering on the allotment of Authorised Economic Operator certificates to some stakeholders
“AEO, like he said, is an incentive, a government incentive. Is an incentive to encourage people or compliant traders. It’s a tool, used by World Customs Organization WCO. It’s by the World Customs Organization, which means it’s an international-based platform” DC Aribiyi Said.
He said AEO is not only issued by Nigeria Customs It’s a general practice by Customs in, the whole world.
He said the security agencies, including the police and the NDLEA, are all part of the agencies involved in online profiling potential beneficiaries of the AEO
” The police, the Interpol, the NDLEA, they are part of the people profiling you, the people profiling the traders “.DC Aribiyi stated, adding, that fears of people undermining the privilege of having the AEO certificate have been taken care of.
He said, “So your fears of traders bringing in offensive goods, that one is certain. Because we have people, we have agencies that have their eyes on you.
“So that fear of bringing in illicit goods, that one is taken care of. And as a pilot, in Nigeria we have about, I think we have about six agencies that the customs have profiled and given that incentive called the Authorized Economic Operator.
“So if they are not if these six were not compliant, they wouldn’t have been approved. So the fears of them now getting involved in illicit activities have eroded because they have been properly profiled”.
Other officers present at the event include Assistant Comptroller of Enforcement, UB Agomuo, Secretary to the Customs Area Controller, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Oben Ihekuama,
Customs Public Relations Officer, Tin Can Island Port Command, Superintendent of Customs, O.E. Lvara, and
Assistant Public Relations Officer ASC, MB.Zubeiru
The visit by MAJAN underscored the collaborative relationship between the media and the maritime sector, highlighting the importance of transparency and effective communication in driving industry growth
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