The Customs Area Controller of the Tincan Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, has rolled out an ambitious reform agenda focused on strict compliance, trade facilitation, and strengthened strategic partnerships in the early days of his leadership.
Since assuming office, Anani has embarked on a series of high-level engagements, operational inspections, and courtesy visits aimed at boosting efficiency, reinforcing stakeholder confidence, and deepening inter-agency collaboration at one of Nigeria’s busiest seaports.
As part of his familiarisation tour, the Controller conducted extensive inspections across Customs formations and terminals within the Command. The exercise provided first-hand insight into infrastructure, officers’ working conditions, and the overall operational environment, with a view to improving workplace standards and enhancing service delivery.
In his first major stakeholder engagement, Anani met with leading freight forwarding groups, including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), and APFLON. He stressed the critical role of compliance, professionalism, and collaboration in achieving seamless port operations.
Outlining his policy direction, the Controller emphasised total adherence to Customs procedures and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. He warned against misconduct and sharp practices capable of undermining the integrity of the Service, while calling for higher operational standards across the board.
“We are setting a new tone anchored on compliance, collaboration, and service excellence. Every stakeholder has a role to play in making Tincan Island Port a model of trade facilitation and operational efficiency”, he said.
Anani also convened a roundtable with terminal operators, shipping companies, importers, exporters, and other industry leaders, assuring them of an open-door policy and a conducive environment for legitimate trade and economic growth. He urged terminal operators to upgrade infrastructure and expand operational capacity to attract increased vessel traffic and boost port competitiveness.
In a bid to strengthen security and enforcement, the Controller paid a courtesy visit to the Port Authority Police Command, where he met with the Commissioner of Police to reinforce cooperation on port security, safety, and intelligence sharing.
He also visited the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), where discussions focused on enhancing joint efforts to combat drug trafficking and other transnational crimes within the port corridor. Both agencies agreed on the need for intelligence-driven operations, coordinated enforcement, and robust information sharing to curb illicit trade.
Anani expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to consolidate on existing achievements while advancing the core mandates of the Service.
He noted that the Command would align with the Comptroller-General’s policy thrust anchored on consolidation, collaboration, and innovation to drive trade facilitation, revenue generation, stakeholder engagement, and national security.
With these early moves, industry observers said the Tincan Island Port Command may be on course for a more disciplined, efficient, and globally competitive operational framework.
The reforms align with the broader mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service and ongoing collaboration with agencies like the Nigeria Police Force and NDLEA.