TCIPC: NPA Seeks Customs Collaboration To Promote Exportation

As part of measures to promote exportation, management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIPC) has expressed commitment to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) towards ensuring balance of trade and trade facilitation.

 

Port Manager TCIPC NPA Engr Jubril Buba made this known when the  Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede and his management team paid a courtesy visit on Wednesday .

 

Buba expressed the Authority’s willingness to ensure that exportation of Nigerian produces equals importation adding that both agencies of government need to streamline operations seamlessly and promote made in Nigerian goods overseas.

 

He lamented that exported goods are being delayed along the port corridors but maintained that with the new Area Controller, such anomalies at Tin Can Island Port will be eradicated through synergy.

 

The Port Manager pointed out that trade facilitation and port efficiency are cardinal points that should be explored by the two agencies adding that as landlord of the ports, Customs also has a major role to play in revenue collection and trade facilitation.

 

He said “Import has to match what is going out of this country and that is why we are saying that the only way such can be achieved is through trade facilitation.

 

“The government is so much interested in exports and to be candid you know the challenges we face in Tin Can Island Port. Most especially the roads. The roads place a major factor in trade facilitation. When I came in, export was at its lowest ebb at Tin Can Island Port. So we began to ask questions as to what is really happening.

 

“We will go ahead and meet with the exporters and tell them that our friend is in town and we are ever ready to promote what is good to go and not what is not good to go.

 

“We will also assure them that we will wrestle Apapa port and make sure that we balance up because honestly,the rate at which exports are being delayed along the port corridors is so worrisome to us.

 

According to him,  management of NPA is advocating for a station whereby export containers are examined  thus no need for further examination at the ports gate which in turn will reduce the turnaround time of cargoes awaiting ship loading.

 

He called on the controller to support NPA’s ideas toward  facilitation of  trade and  exports promotion

 

Buba also commended the controller for the proactive steps in tackling e-customs policy noting that the Authority will continue to offer support in ensuring that the ports work effectively and efficiently.

 

“Make no hesitation to call on us for support because the ports belong to us all”, Buba appealed.

 

Earlier, Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port Command of customs , Adekunle Oloyede described Buba as a seasoned administration saying ” You are a round peg in a round.

 

He stated that the customs visit was aimed to work closely with the port authority and to explore areas that would benefit the nation’s economy and port efficiency.

 

He expressed satisfaction for the Port Manager intervention on traffic logjam along the corridors adding that customs are happy with the development on boosting international  trade.

 

Oloyede said :”We are together to achieve a common goal and we are together working for our nation. ”

By Roland Ekama