The Chairman, Apapa Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Chukumalu Emeka, has lauded the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, for what he described as a bold dismantling of the multiple checkpoints that have long plagued cargo clearance at Nigeria’s busiest seaport.
Speaking during the Comptroller’s official visit to the terminal, Chief Emeka said the reduction of customs units from several cumbersome desks to just two has been one of the most significant interventions the clearing community has witnessed in recent years.
“Comptroller Olomu has done what many before him could not achieve. By reducing customs desks to only two, you have effectively broken down the major bottleneck that created delays, fostered inefficiency, and opened avenues for extortion,” the ANLCA chairman declared.
He noted that this singular reform has enhanced predictability, cut clearance times, and brought sanity to port operations.
“Before now, the multiplicity of customs units not only created confusion but also slowed down trade facilitation. Today, we are seeing a streamlined process. This is a major win for all port users,” Emeka stressed.
Chief Emeka, however, urged the CAC not to relent, highlighting that the reduction of checkpoints at the port gate must be fully sustained to prevent gate operatives from reverting to high-handed practices.
“Sir, while you have done well at the terminals, we are still witnessing some aggressive gate control issues. The gate should not become a mini-terminal where clearing agents are harassed and delayed. We are asking that you harmonise this gate process fully so that our operational gains at the terminal are not lost at the exit point,” he appealed.
Beyond checkpoint reduction, the ANLCA chairman called for further reforms, particularly in the fast-track cargo clearance system, which he said has lost its essence.
“The fast-track process was designed to encourage compliant traders, but it has now become personalised and selective. We need your intervention to restore the integrity of the system,” he added.
Emeka also pushed for the inclusion of ANLCA members in the Nigeria Customs Service’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, arguing that clearing agents deserve to benefit from customs welfare initiatives as key revenue partners.
In his response, Comptroller Olomu expressed satisfaction that the reforms implemented by his administration are yielding results. He assured that the customs gate processes would be reviewed to address the reported cases of harassment and delays.
“The issue of gate delays and gate high-handedness will not be tolerated. I have taken note of this, and I can assure you that it will be addressed,” Olomu promised.
The CAC also welcomed the association’s call for inclusion in the Customs CSR programme but noted that CSR projects are subject to approval by the customs headquarters.
“We encourage you to put your request in writing. Once we receive your memo, we will push it through to Abuja with proper justification. You have my word that we will follow it up,” the Controller assured.
Comptroller Olomu also pledged to investigate other operational concerns raised by the agents, including enforcement blockages, the problem of changing examiners’ names post-lax closure, and the system integration issues between the Truck Transit Parks (TTP) and APMT.
“These are issues we will critically address, and I am committing to providing solutions as quickly as possible,” Olomu said.
The meeting was attended by key ANLCA leaders, freight forwarders, and port stakeholders, all of whom expressed optimism about the emerging collaborative spirit at the Apapa Command under Comptroller Olomu’s leadership.
