The newly appointed Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Customs Command, Onne Port Harcourt, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali, has emphasized the need for strategic collaboration with stakeholders to address operational challenges and enhance trade facilitation.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held on February 13, Comptroller Alkali stated that the engagement aimed to foster dialogue, strategize solutions to key challenges, and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders. He reiterated that trade facilitation remains a core mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), alongside revenue generation and national security.
“The purpose of this engagement is to have meaningful dialogue, address pressing issues, and find lasting solutions to challenges facing oil and gas operations. As stakeholders, your commitment to smooth operations is vital in achieving the objectives of the Service,” he asserted.
Comptroller Alkali urged stakeholders to strictly comply with all relevant regulations and laws governing their operations. He warned against cutting corners or bypassing due process, emphasizing that adherence to compliance standards is crucial for seamless trade activities.
He assured stakeholders of the Command’s commitment to ensuring a smooth clearance process by creating a supportive and efficient environment. He also highlighted the importance of investment opportunities in driving economic growth, aligning with global best practices in trade and investment.
“Our commitment is to facilitating trade and ensuring compliance within the Zone. In an effort to strengthen collaboration and enhance economic activities, we will continue to engage stakeholders and foster a more efficient trade environment,” Alkali stated.
COMPTROLLER ALKALI URGES STAKEHOLDERS TO ADHERE TO REGULATIONS, ASSURES OF TRADE FACILITATION
Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Customs Command, has called on stakeholders to strictly adhere to regulations, particularly the 14-day approval period for SGDs. He emphasized that compliance within the stipulated timeframe would enhance record accuracy, improve efficiency, and streamline the clearance process.
Reaffirming the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to creating an enabling business environment, Comptroller Alkali assured stakeholders of continued cooperation in ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. “By working together, we will encourage investment and drive economic growth. Our primary focus is to facilitate trade,” he stated.
He further urged stakeholders to adhere to established guidelines, saying, “All we ask is that you follow the stipulated regulations, which you are already familiar with.”
Addressing the gathering, Comptroller Alkali highlighted the purpose of the meeting, which included familiarizing himself with key stakeholders. “As the new CAC, I want to introduce myself so we can build a strong working relationship. I assure you of my commitment to cooperation and resolving issues as they arise. My doors are open, and we are ready for business,” he affirmed.
Stakeholders Highlight Key Challenges
During the interactive session, stakeholders voiced concerns over several operational challenges affecting smooth trade activities at the command. These included:
- Delays in document processing
- Arbitrary issuance of Debit Notes (D/N)
- Network failures and alert system inefficiencies
- Double application processes
- Challenges with NCS officials and INTELS staff, leading to unnecessary demurrage payments
In response, Comptroller Alkali reassured stakeholders of his commitment to addressing these issues in the interest of trade facilitation and national economic development. He emphasized his open-door policy and pledged to foster a harmonious working relationship to enhance efficiency within the Free Trade Zone.
Freight Forwarders Express Optimism
Speaking on behalf of the freight forwarders, Hon. Eric Asor Kanu, Chairman-elect of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Oil and Gas Chapter, and Forwarder Kolawole Atanda, Chairman of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Onne Port Chapter, expressed optimism about Comptroller Alkali’s leadership.
They noted that his experience and understanding of the Oil and Gas Command’s operations would be instrumental in resolving key challenges such as network failures, delays, and negative attitudes among some officials that hinder trade. Atanda further urged the NCS management to deploy officers well-versed in the intricacies of Free Trade Zone operations to ensure efficiency.
Attendees and Key Agencies
The meeting was attended by representatives from government agencies, enterprises, shipping companies, and freight forwarding associations operating within the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone.
Government agencies present included:
- Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority (OGFTZA)
- Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA)
- Nigeria Police Force
- Eastern Ports Command
- Nigeria Immigration Service, Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Command
Notable enterprises represented included:
- INTELS
- Notore Petrochemical Company
Freight forwarding associations present included:
- Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA)
- Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON)
The engagement reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to enhancing trade facilitation while ensuring strict compliance with regulations to foster a seamless business environment within the Free Trade Zone.