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The Chairman of the Apapa Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Chukwumalu Emeka, has commended the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, for the bold dismantling of the multiple alerts that have long plagued cargo clearance at the nation’s busiest seaport.
Speaking during the Comptroller’s official visit to the terminal, Chief Emeka said the reduction of customs units from several cumbersome desks to just two and this has been one of the most significant interventions the clearing community has witnessed in recent years.
“Comptroller Olomu has done what many before him could not achieve. By reducing customs desks to only two, you have effectively broken down the major bottleneck that created delays, fostered inefficiency, and opened avenues for extortion,” the ANLCA chairman declared.
He noted that this singular reform has enhanced predictability, cut clearance times, and brought sanity to port operations.
“Before now, the multiplicity of customs units not only created confusion but also slowed down trade facilitation. Today, we are seeing a streamlined process. This is a major win for all port users,” Emeka stressed.
He, however, urged the CAC not to relent, highlighting that the reduction of checkpoints at the port gate must be fully sustained to prevent gate operatives from reverting to high-handed practices.
“While you have done well at the terminals, we are still witnessing some aggressive gate control issues. The gate should not become a mini-terminal where clearing agents are harassed and delayed. We are asking that you harmonise this gate process fully so that our operational gains at the terminal are not lost at the exit point,” he appealed.
Noting that the fast-track process was designed to encourage compliant traders, the veteran freight forwarder observed that it has now become personalised and selective, therefore he called for an intervention to restore the integrity of the system.
Emeka also pushed for the inclusion of ANLCA members in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, arguing that clearing agents deserve to benefit from customs welfare initiatives as key revenue partners.
In his response, Comptroller Olomu expressed satisfaction that the reforms implemented by his administration are yielding results even as he assured that the Customs gate processes would be reviewed to address the reported cases of harassment and delays.
“The issue of gate delays and gate high-handedness will not be tolerated. I have taken note of this, and I can assure you that it will be addressed,” Olomu promised.
The CAC also welcomed the association’s call for inclusion in the Customs CSR programme but noted that CSR projects are subject to approval by the customs headquarters.
Comptroller Olomu also pledged to investigate other operational concerns raised by the agents, including enforcement blockages, the problem of changing examiners’ names post-lax closure, and the system integration issues between the Truck Transit Parks (TTP) and APMT.
The meeting was attended by key ANLCA leaders, freight forwarders, and port stakeholders, all of whom expressed optimism about the emerging collaborative spirit at the Apapa Command under Comptroller Olomu’s leadership.
