TinCan Customs Generates N145bn from Lagos Port in April
The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has enhanced trade facilitation, as the level of compliance at the seaport has increased drastically.
Already, Controller of the Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, said the command generated an N145 billion in revenue in the month of April 2025, a significant increase from the N95.7 billion collected during the same period in 2024.
Onyeka, who disclosed this during a courtesy visit by members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), said the full implementation of the B’Odogwu system at the command would reduce cargo clearance period to about two hours and further enhance trade.
According to him, the new technology is network glitch-free, hence would ease the difficulties in cargo clearance and facilitate trade.
Onyeka urged importers and clearing agents to always make honest declarations.
He said the command is already engaging in massive sensitisation of stakeholders and training of appropriate personnel.
“So sensitization is ongoing, and we believe that once we are able to spread that good news, we will get more people on board.
“We are bound to have challenges, and those challenges are what we are trying to see as much as possible to de-emphasise when we take off fully.
“Customs is ready. But the problem we are having now is that agents are changing from what you consider to be the norm, to be something that is about to be perfect, and it will take a while. So we are sensitizing them and we are getting good news. They are keying into it.”
He enjoined importers and clearing agents to always make appropriate declarations to aid trade facilitation at the seaports.
“If there are no lies about declarations, everything will move seamlessly. I came on board and told them this. Declare appropriately. If you are carrying a telephone on your bill, upon examination, I want to see the telephone, and you pay appropriately, you don’t need to waste time. Where we have time wasted and issues is due to lack of proper declaration.”
The Customs Comptroller, however, said the level of compliance at TinCan port is increasing drastically. “And that is why we are not having many seizures, because they are not coming our way,” he added.
Warning importers and agent, Onyeka said: “I have a pedigree for no nonsense. There are certain things that I’m well above. I’m not a businessman, importer or a clearing agent, but I’m a Customs officer. And for those who have heard, the records are there.”
I will not support you if you are involved in shady deals.
“So, my body language will tell you certain things should not come my way. And I’ll tell them, don’t bring it to TinCan port. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing like an abandoned seizure. I will seize it. I will prosecute you, and I will push it to a logical conclusion.”
He commended the media for supporting the growth of the Nigerian Customs and the entire marine and blue economy sector, urging them to continue to play their constitutional role of societal watchdog with diligence and patriotism.
Speaking earlier, the President of SCAN, Moses Ebosele, who led the delegation commended the CAC for his open door policy, adding that members of SCAN are guided by the ethics of the profession.
