I Will Open My Doors For Seamless Trade, But I Will Also Close The Door Against Unwholesome Activities-Compt.Dera Nnadi

I Will Open My Doors For Seamless Trade, But I Will Also Close The Door Against Unwholesome Activities-Compt.Dera Nnadi
……Vows to meet the command N801bn revenue target

By Frank Odinukaeze

Determined to enhance seamless trade ,boost revenue collection,tackle ani- smuggling and ensure fast and effective service delivery,key indicators that are in sync with the Service mandate ,the new Area Controller of Tin Can Customs command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi has vowed to maintain an open policy ,but warned that his doors would be open only to compliant traders ,but will close his doors to Unwholesome activities that might subvert the mandate of the Service.

Comptroller Nnadi stated this on Thursday,during his maiden address at the handing over ceremony at the command, as he takes over from Comptroller Kunle Stephen Oloyede
Nnadi who is the 20th Area Controller since the inception of the command in 1977, noted that he has a great task ahead to meet up with the revenue target of the command for 2023 ,which is over N 801bn,but which currently stands at 52 per cent ,with barely three months to the end of the year 2023.
He said what this means is that the command must collect the balance of 48 per cent of the remaining revenue

Nnadi expressed confident of his resolve to actualize the revenue target ,despite the prevailing economic climate, where the floating exchange rate is affecting importers and exporters, he however affirmed that ,”This is a big but achievable task”.

He said the customs have very big role to play in terms of securing the nation ,and these include interventions against economic sabotuers who distort and take advantage of the nation’s trade policy. These also include those that import illicit goods that contribute to the insecurity in the country.

He said the customs have taken steps to address trans border crimes and to this end,the Adminisitrations of Nigeria and Benin have signed an agreement to develop frameworks for clearing of Nigeria bound goods in Benin Ports and vice varsa.
His words,”This is a call for us to improve our business process and increase our efficiency in service delivery in order to be competitive with other ports in the subregion”. Continuing he said,” I will particularly request the cooperation of shipping companies, terminal operators and other government agencies
in our efforts towards ensuring the actualisation of the rebranding of the Command.
” In line with this, I will essentially request that we respect our various mandates. Those concerned with regulatory functions should stay away from interference in revenue related transactions except it is in their mandate to do so. Hopefully, this will improve service delivery in the Tincan Port”

In a separate meeting with the media, Comptroller Nnadi answering questions on the Nigeria- Republic of Benin agreement,gave further clarification on the agreement.

He said the import of the agreement is to promote regional trade and curb trans border crimes amongst others..
He said a committee has been set up to work out the modalities for the operationalization of the agreement.
He however warned those who might want to take advantage of the agreement to import prohibited goods into the country should eschew that, as the whole thing is just an idea that has not been harmonized and ratified by both countries, stressing that there would be a harmonisation of import prohibition list ,which formed part of the agreement.
Comptroller Nnadi noted that when the agreement is finally ratified by both counties ,Nigeria customs can go to Benin Republic port and examine cargo and importers can also pay duties there and the money remitted to the Nigerian customs coffers .He noted that the practice is not new as that is what obtains in other climes.
Earlier,the out going Area controller ,Kunle Oloyede while handing over the command to comptroller Dera Nnadi admonished the officers of the command to extend the same cooperation they gave him to the in coming controller.
To the critical stakeholders,the freight agents, Oloyede said ,” improve in your compliance level”.And to the terminal operators ,he said, “Feel free to relate with him on how we can improve on the trade supply chain”.
He also advised the security agencies to give more cooperation to the new Area Controller.

Turning to the media,Oloyede thanked them for their support and encouraged them to also give same support to the new controller.Hiswords,” I urge you to cross check you facts with him before publishing your story.I will be unhappy if you people are not doing what you are expected to do”.