The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has reaffirmed his commitment to enforcing strict compliance and operational standards across all bonded terminals under his command, stating that only facilities that meet the required standards of efficiency, manpower, and equipment will remain functional.
Comptroller Onyeka explained that the decision to keep some bonded terminals inactive was intentional, designed to promote productivity, ensure compliance, and prevent inefficiencies in port operations. He stated that terminals that fail to meet operational standards or display negligence would not be allowed to receive consignments.
He maintained that the mere ownership of a bonded terminal does not qualify an operator to handle cargo movement. Terminals must possess functional equipment, adequate manpower, and the capacity to decongest containers efficiently. Facilities operating with outdated or broken down machinery, he noted, become bottlenecks in the clearance process and therefore cannot contribute meaningfully to trade facilitation.
He stressed that compliance remains the foundation of effective port operations. He reiterated that bonded terminal operators must strictly adhere to established procedures and standards governing their operations.
He also emphasised that national security remains his top priority and terminals that fail to meet operational and security benchmarks will not be permitted to handle consignments as containers for such facilities will be retained at the mother port until compliance is achieved.
On the ongoing trade facilitation reforms initiated by the service, including the Advance Ruling system, Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, Time Release Study, and the One-Stop Shop initiative. He noted that the implementation of these initiatives aligns perfectly with the reform principles he has always advocated, especially the One-Stop Shop recently launched by the Service.
He revealed that upon assuming office, he directed his officers to eliminate multiple alerts, which often contradict the principles of trade facilitation. The directive, he said, has been fully implemented, making multiple alerts a thing of the past. According to him, arbitrary interception of containers by enforcement units is no longer tolerated under his leadership.
The CAC commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for creating the enabling environment that allows innovation and reform to thrive within the Service. He noted that the CGC’s leadership has brought many long conceived ideas to fruition, fostering efficiency, transparency, and accountability in port operations.
He urged all stakeholders including customs officers, licensed agents, freight forwarders, and other partners within the port and logistics ecosystem to fully embrace the One-Stop Shop system. He stressed that when all parties work together with sincerity of purpose, the initiative will serve the collective good and further enhance the nation’s trade facilitation agenda.
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