Customs Anti-smuggling Czar, Compt Dera Nnadi Takes Over Tin Can Ports Command

…Sets to Complete N801 billion Revenue Target

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Anti-smuggling Czar of the Nigeria Customs Service, Compt Dera Nnadi has taken over the reins of leadership at the Tin Can Island Command of the Service, even as he has vowed that no unwholesome importation would be allowed through the port under his watch.

The fearless customs officer was recently redeployed from Seme Border, and he took over from Compt Kunle Oloyede on Thursday.

Compt Nnadi also vowed that the command under his watch would meet his N801bilion revenue target for the year under review.

He revealed that the command revenue target of over N801 billion currently stands at 52 per cent, with barely three months to the end of the year 2023, assuring that the command must work harder to collect the remaining 48 per cent of the remaining revenue before the year runs out.

He maintained that coming at a time, the floating exchange rate was affecting importers and exporters, “this is a big but achievable task.”

He went further to add that their roles in securing the nation were vast, ranging from interventions against economic saboteurs who distort and take advantage of the nation’s trade policy saying that these also include those that import illicit goods that contribute to the insecurity in the country.

Commending his immediate predecessor, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyode, Nnadi said, “I want to commend the outgoing Controller and officers of the command for the recent seizure of two containers of tramadol. We will sustain the fight against importation of illicit and unapproved drugs.”

He continued, “Distinguished audience, just two days ago, the Customs Administrations of Nigeria and Benin signed an agreement to develop frameworks for clearing of Nigeria bound goods in Benin Ports and vice versa. 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.

“To this end, 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.”

Referencing the outgone Controller who said that he operated an open door policy, the CAC stated, “I will open my doors for seamless trade, but I will also close the door against unwholesome activities that will compromise the Service mandates.

“Let me at this juncture state that in my resolve to achieve the goals of the Command, we will not dwell on the usual blame of others for the various challenges bedeviling the maritime industry. No one person is responsible for the rot, but everyone should be ready to offer a solution.”

Earlier in his remarks, the outgone Controller, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede urged officers and stakeholders including sister agencies to extend the same support and collaboration given to him to the new Controller whom he described as a trade facilitator to enable him succeed and achieve the command’s revenue target.