- Compt. Babatunde Olomu
By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) activities at the Apapa Port will continue uninterrupted irrespective of the apprehensions about an impending nationwide protest, the Area Controller, Compt. Babatunde Olomu, has assured users of the port.
Olomu told stakeholders at a meeting in Apapa on Tuesday it was expedient to rebuild confidence in the importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, haulage operators and other port users on the availability of customs officers in Apapa Port on all working days as usual.
He assured that customs officers attached to the command at the port and all terminals under his watch shall be available to discharge their usual functions and support in facilitating all legitimate trade within their purview, according to statement from the Customs Public Relations Officer, Apapa Port Command, Mr. Usman Abubakar.
Olomu informed that the office of the Customs Public Relations Officer and other offices assigned to function as help desks shall be available to address inquiries and give further details where necessary.
He further reminded members of the Apapa Port community, including sister-government agencies, that customs officers shall be resuming work by 8am on all weekdays, and possibly work during weekends when necessary.
While thanking the compliant port users, whom he described as partners in progress, the CAC reiterated the command’s resolve to continually ensure maximum collection of all government revenue without compromising the due diligence required for all import and export cargo examination
Also, speaking at the meeting, Commissioner of Police in charge of Western Ports, Mr. Lanre Ishola, thanked the controller for convening the meeting and stated that the police will ensure the respect of citizens’ rights at all times
On his part, the Apapa Port Manager, Mr. Charles Okaga, reminded all port users at the meeting that the port runs a 24-hour operation, adding that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) will sensitise other stakeholders in the cargo clearing process, like shipping companies and terminal operators, to dispense their services normally.
According to Okaga, the NPA will urge shipping companies and terminal operators not to impose demurrage on cargoes under their control for days that they could not effect clearance services.
