How Insecurity, Infrastructural Deficits Challenge Customs 24 Hour Operation- Nnadi

The Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, has said that insecurity as well as infrastructural deficits constitute the major challenges to the Command’s 24-hour operation.

He explained that while the night operation was open to customs activities such as scanning of containers and delivery, physical examination has not commenced as a result of what he termed as “obvious reasons”.

Nnadi added that stakeholders had confided their lack of confidence in engaging in the night operation citing “safety” as the limiting factor.

He said: “Some stakeholder told me that what is stopping them from engaging in the night operation is their safety. Having cleared the road, we got the assurances of stakeholders that they would now be coming to work.

“We started scanning containers for 24 hours and the stakeholders embraced it. Then we extended to delivery. We did not extend it to physical examination for obvious reasons.

“We need to light up the port and we need to provide security. In one of our meetings, I suggested that we light up the access roads. If you notice,the area around Cele has been lit up. Then for the rest of the corridor, they have put poles pending when they would put the solar light.”

Speaking on measures that have been put in place to enhance the security of the port corridors, he said: “When Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) called us for the monthly meeting, we discussed the issue too and report was given.

“16 checkpoints and outposts have been created across the two port corridors from one port to Cele and from the other port to the National Theatre to provide security.

“They are trying to get an understanding from the Commissioner of Police to work with the Commissioner of Police Port. If you ask the police at the port to man Trinity for example, he has to contend with the police at Trinity so they are working on streamlining their operation.

“The good news is that at the last meeting held at Apapa between the Comptroller General of Customs, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other stakeholders, we agreed that this should be extended to all ports across Nigeria.”

Expressing optimising that more stakeholder will take advantage of the night operation, he said: “I believe that when the lights are on and police checkpoints are put in place, more people will embrace the night operation.”