- Maritime industry developments excites Comptroller Nnadi
As port operations at the Tin Can Island Port wears a new look characterized by efficiency and timeliness, the credit has been attributed to a new synergy between the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA).
The synergy between these MDAs has resulted in visible developments including; a strong desire to entrench the 24-hour cargo clearance that has commenced at Tin Can Island Port in real terms, optimisation of the port infrastructure, ease of traffic along the port access roads, among others.
While expressing delight at these accomplishments, the Customs Area Controller, TCIP, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, thanked the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, as well as the Blue Economy Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, and the Managing Director of NPA, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko for their sterling roles in improving port infrastructure and processes.
Nnadi posited that the Tin Can Island Port Command and indeed the entire Lagos ports are taking their rightful place as a competitive hub in the West African subregion following the gains from the synergy.
“TCIP Command has also introduced reforms in its business processes. These include the CGC approved WCO – Nigeria Time Release Study being carried out in conjunction with the National Trade Facilitation Committee with sponsorship of our technical partners by His Royal Majesty Customs & Revenue Authority of UK. Others innovations at Tin Can are; the automation of the Command’s bond seat and the training of both officers and stakeholders alike.”
“One such training will commence on the 26 of March 2024 for releasing and examination officers. One highlight of the training is that we are inviting stakeholders from two major freight forwarding associations to be facilitators in the training programme. We are adopting a reversed approach of letting them tell us how to serve them best through the training by making them teach us,” Nnadi stated.
While observing that there are few persons who are not comfortable with the port reforms, he explained that embracing change after years of noncompliance won’t be easy for some stakeholders, but assured continuous to support and reward those willing to change.
He added that the Command is also putting modalities in place to encourage voluntary compliance and expressed optimism that this move will create Standard Operating Procedure which is a precursor for a level playing ground for all.
“It is my hope too that the continuous automation of our processes will accelerate these reforms and address some of the challenges our stakeholders point out, such as the downtime of servers. It is also hoped that the stakeholders will help to sustain the gains made, especially in clearing the port access road. This includes the media who are pleaded upon to help highlight positive developments in the industry,” he remarked.
