Odita Sunday 
Anani Unveils Compliance-Driven Agenda for Tincan Port, Strengthens Stakeholder and Security Partnerships
By Odita Sunday
The Customs Area Controller of the Tincan Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, has commenced his tenure with a series of strategic engagements aimed at enhancing trade facilitation, strengthening compliance, deepening stakeholder confidence, and fostering inter-agency collaboration.
As part of his familiarisation programme, Comptroller Anani embarked on an extensive inspection of Customs formations and terminals within the Command to gain first-hand knowledge of operational facilities, assess officers’ welfare and working conditions, and evaluate the overall operational environment.
The inspection, which marked his first official assignment since assuming office, was designed to identify areas for improvement and ensure that officers are adequately equipped to deliver on the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
In his maiden engagement with stakeholders, Anani met with major freight forwarding associations, including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), APFLON, and other industry players.
During the meeting, the Controller stressed the importance of compliance, professionalism, and collaboration in promoting seamless trade operations and efficient port services.
He unveiled a strategic blueprint anchored on strict adherence to Customs procedures and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, while warning against acts capable of undermining the integrity of the Service.
“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.
The Controller also convened a roundtable session with terminal operators, shipping companies, importers, exporters, and captains of industry, assuring them of an open-door policy and a conducive environment for legitimate trade and economic growth.
He urged terminal operators to improve infrastructure and expand operational spaces within their facilities to attract more vessel traffic and improve the competitiveness of the port.
Recognising the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in securing the nation’s maritime gateways, Anani paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Port Authority Police (Western Command), CP Toyin Agbaminoja. Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced collaboration on national security, port operations, and the protection of lives and property.
The police commissioner pledged continued support through intelligence sharing and operational cooperation.
In a related development, the Controller also visited the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Commander Solomon Omotosho, to strengthen collaboration against illicit trade and transnational crimes.
The two agencies discussed strategies for sustained synergy in combating drug trafficking and curbing the activities of criminal networks operating within and around the port environment. They emphasized intelligence-led operations, information sharing, and coordinated enforcement actions to prevent the movement of illicit narcotics through the country’s seaports.
Anani expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, for the confidence reposed in him through his appointment, pledging to build on existing achievements and advance the core mandates of the Service.
He noted that the Command would continue to align its operations with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General, anchored on Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation, to enhance trade facilitation, revenue generation, stakeholder engagement and national security.
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