COMPT ONYEKA AS GUEST OF THE LEAGUE OF MARITIME EDITORS; HARPS ON TRADE FACILITATION & POLICY OF COLLECTIBLE REVENUE
-We believe in collectable revenue, not maximum revenue
• B’Odogwu is a game changer in ports operations
• Command collects N747.079bn in 6 months, says it will meet N1.5trn target
By Francis Ugwoke
The Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday said the revenue generation agency has been doing everything possible to promote trade facilitation at the ports for the economic wellbeing of all Nigerians.
Comptroller of the Command, Frank Onyeka, who disclosed that the Command collected the sum of N747,079,233,259.91 as revenue for the first half of the year, explained that part of the measures put in place is to introduce ‘policy of collectable revenue instead of maximum revenue’.
He said this was in line with present administration’s renewed hope agenda for Nigerians.
The Controller in a roundtable parley with members of the League of Maritime Editors & Publishers (LOME) further explained that this is specifically aimed at promoting and encouraging quick turnover for the importers. He disclosed that on assuming office about six months ago, he had to address the issue of multiple alerts which many had complained about.
He said this led to the emphasis placed on examination of containers as very necessary to check how compliant the traders are, adding that this has given the Command the needed result.
The Controller, however, explained that the Command in promoting trade facilitation does not joke with observation of rules and regulations in trade by importers and freight forwarders. According to him, the Command spends time to create awareness on the need to keep to the rules of the game, assuring that those who are compliant to the trade rules are not choked.
He also said that once containers are opened for examination, and there is compliance, clearance of such goods is not delayed.
“We do this to promote trade. We have the support of the trading community. We are also working to ensure that the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda’ on trade succeeds. What we preach is that importers keep to the rules and regulations. By this we talk to our partners, importers and freight forwarders to be compliant if they want the best”.
Oneyka expressed optimism that the Command will meet its N1.5trillion revenue target for the year considering the revenue figure already recorded.
He stated that he has done about 98 percent of what he is supposed to do as a Controller, revealing that the Command has been enjoying tremendous support from the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to succeed in given mandate.
He described the B’ Odogwu technology as among the best thing that has happened to the Customs Service, saying it has ended the network issue suffered in the past while processing documents for clearance.
According to him, B’ Odogwu is a game changer, stating that with the local technology, any issue that comes up is sorted out and work continues.
On whether he would want to encourage more bonded terminals, he pointed out that there are lots of leakages in their operations.
He made it clear that he is usually not comfortable with some of the bonded terminals, disclosing that when three containers are stemmed for bonded terminals, there may not be any assurance that all of them will get there. Besides, he said, even if all get to the terminals, not all of them may be examined.
To ensure that all containers going to the bonded terminals are examined, he said he makes sure that video of the examination is sent to him by a high ranking officer.
On how he has been achieve so much within a short space of time, the Controller said he has been insisting on due diligence, compliance and stakeholders engagement.
On whether the rise of the Command’s revenue has to do with the nation’s exchange rate with other foreign currencies, he dismissed this, explaining that it has been as a result of enduring marketing strategy, the support and dedication of his management team.
