Trade Facilitation: Comptroller Nnadi parleys stakeholders, harps on compliance

Maureen Aguta

As the ember months enters the second month, a period of heightened economic activities in the ports, the Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port (TCIP), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Dera Nnadi, has charged stakeholders to ensure they comply fully with trade rules to avoid delaying their consignments unnecessarily at the port.

Comptroller Nnadi spoke on Monday at the TCIP, Apapa on the new modalities of what is expected of stakeholders who do business in the Command on a daily basis.

Emphasising again his theme for the year 2024, which is “A year For Stakeholders,” the CAC stated that the well-being of all who come to do business in the area command is a priority to him, the command and the service.

He highlighted that the year is at its last quarter, further appreciating all efforts put in place to ensure that the revenue for the year is achieved as he calls for compliance as all hands on deck can make it happen.

Again, the CAC emphasised the struggles stakeholders go through during the ember season, especially towards the end of the year, stating that genuine declarations from complaint traders will not have issues of delay but for those who think they can circumvent the system should have themselves to blame as cutting of corners will not be negotiated.

He also disclosed that he has ensured that all new crested bonded terminals domicile in TCIP has space available for stakeholders while they go about their businesses, but at the headquarters here, no such space has been created. He promised that he would look critically into it as renovations are ongoing in the premises.

He advised the stakeholders to learn to keep the environment clean, pending when new bins will be distributed at designated areas, as a clean environment portrays a healthy lifestyle.