The coordinator, SIFAX Offdock Terminal, Okota, Lagos, deputy controller, Boma Jaja, has attributed stakeholders support to the N1.125 trillion generated by the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Speaking exclusively to LEADERSHIP, Jaja, stated that SIFAX Offdock Terminal contributed a large chunk to the revenue generated by Tin Can Island Command of the service in 2024.
According to him, the terminal contributed a large amount through collaboration with clearing agents, terminal operators and other port stakeholders.
“This is the first time such a target has been met at Tin Can Island Port and we are still counting because the month hasn’t ended and the last quarter is the peak period where volume of trade goes high.
“Basically, you have to take care of the stakeholders, listen to them, and hear their challenges. It is important we listen to them when they come. Also, the language they understand is money, the agents, importers, and those they sublet the jobs to, so as a Customs officer, I listen to them, calm them down and proffer solutions to their challenges.
“To terminal operators, the owners of the terminal, I go out of my way to solve their problems. Recently, the Nigeria Police wrote a letter to stop about 20 containers from leaving the terminal for no reason, but I have to interfere to mitigate and get the problems solved just to ensure trade facilitation. My style is to give everyone a sense of belonging,” he explained.
DC Jaja further stated that though intermittent server breakdown affected Customs operations at the unit, he was able to surmount it.
“In Customs, there are rules and regulations because you need to strive to meet the international best practice in the way you want to discharge your duties. We must avoid loss of revenue because that is a challenge on its own. Otherwise, they will see you as an economic saboteur, and if you are called that, your career as an officer is gone.
“Also, sometimes, there is no network to process the document to make the job seamless. So, I go extra miles to engage the terminal operator’s IT department for what is needed to do.”
“Another challenge is that in the locality here, there are street urchins, from the roundabout to apple junction and what I did was to pay a courtesy call on the Baale of Okota with my team and that helped,” he said.
