…As Olomu appreciates ANLCA for support to CGC’s modernization agenda
The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Apapa chapter has commended the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu for his impactful contributions towards the customs clearing process and welfare of its members adding that his tenure has been marked by positive changes.
The Chairman of ANLCA, Apapa chapter, Chief Emeka Chukwumalu who gave the commendation in his welcome address during the maiden official visit of the Controller to the chapter at the ANLCA National Secretariat in Lagos on Tuesday, commended the visionary initiative of the Controller in organizing a training for members of the association on Truck Transit Parks, TTP.
“The comprehensive training has been instrumental to qualifying our members to obtain the special Eto wallet, a development that has streamlined operations and significantly improved efficiency. This particular training has yielded remarkable financial benefits for our members”, Chukwumalu said.
He equally expressed the association’s gratitude to the Controller over the drastic reduction in the local transportation cost from the “exorbitant N1.2 million to a manageable N350,000 presently”, noting that the reduction had impacted on his members operational costs profitability.
“We also deeply appreciate your commitment to making available the necessary facilities and logistics and ensuring the success of the vital training programme.
“Beyond training, your proactive approach has also brought about much needed reforms within customs operations. We specifically thank you for reducing the departments of customs on alert to just two – CPC and valuation which has significantly reduced delays, fostering a more predictable and efficient clearing environment.
“In the same vein, your efforts in harmonizing the gate control has further streamlined the movement of goods, making our daily operations smoother”, the ANLCA Apapa chapter Chairman stated.
Emboldened by the Controller’s responsiveness and commitment to progress, Chukwumalu sought the urgent intervention of the CAC to streamline operations around the fast track, which according to him, was intended to expedite cargo clearance, to truly achieve its objective of faster clearance for compliant traders.
“Finally, we will be immensely grateful if you could consider and extend the customs’ Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR to our association. Such a gesture will undoubtedly strengthen the bond between the Service and our association, fostering a more collaboration and supportive environment for our stakeholders”, he concluded.
Responding, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu observed that he was at the ANLCA National Secretariat to appreciate the association for its support to the command and to the Service in general.
Recalling the revenue achievement of the command in recent times with the support of the association, he said, “Last year, the Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command generated a total of N2.357 trillion. We are here to appreciate you for your support and as we speak, the command, between January and June has generated N1.373 trillion and we know this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of ANLCA.
“So, we are here to ensure that we continue to foster the industrial harmony which has crystallized to this very significant milestone. We say a very big thank you to all the members of ANLCA.
“There’s no doubt that we are partners in progress and we need each other to succeed in our collective mission of building a greater Nigeria through our economic activities at the seaports, airports, border stations and excise.
“Again, we are aware that just some days ago, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, emerged as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organization. This is a very positive and encouraging development for Nigeria in the global customs community and it comes with responsibilities. It signposts us as a very credible customs administration”, Olomu submitted.
Continuing, he said, “Gentlemen and ladies, the warm reception you accorded me when I resumed, which we have sustained up till this moment, is a motivation and encouragement I will never take for granted. I feel at home in your midst and request of you that the great strides achieved in the first half of 2025, are redoubled as we step forward.
“Of course, I mentioned earlier that we achieved a total collection of N1.378 trillion as revenue generated for the first half of 2025. I want to thank you most sincerely for your support of the CGC’s modernization agenda. As you all know, the B’Odogwu is work in progress and your members’ participation in all the training sessions is noted as part of our building blocks for homegrown and sustainable customs modernization in Nigeria.
“Our doors are open for regular engagement because we still have a lot to do for our beloved country. I want to most sincerely, on behalf of the men and officers of the Apapa Area Command, thank you and may God bless ANLCA, may God bless the Nigeria Customs Service and may God bless Nigeria.’
On inclusion of ANLCA in the Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR of the Service, Olomu said, “The CSR initiative, as we know, is actually a baby of the Comptroller General of Customs. We believe that customs activities should go beyond the issue of revenue generation, anti-smuggling, and trade facilitation.
“The communities that have contributed to this revenue which ANLCA is also part of, we feel that we owe it as a sense of responsibility to also give back to the communities and that was why the Comptroller General of Customs, in his wisdom, came up with the idea of the Corporate Social Responsibility.
“However, all the projects coming under this CSR must be approved by the customs headquarters. So, what we are going to do, we are going to push this across, we will appreciate a memo from the Chairman, Apapa chapter which we are going to forward to the headquarters and we are going to justify it.”
“Some operational issues have also been highlighted starting from the issue of customs/Police blockage, enforcement matter, change of examiner’s name after lax closure, I give you my word on it, we are going to take action”, he assured.
Photo: (L-R): Chief Emeka Chukwumalu, Chairman, ANLCA, Apapa Chapter, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller, Apapa Customs Command, Chief Dennis Okafor, member, ANLCA Board of Trustees and Hajia Bola Muse, National Treasurer, ANLCA during the official visit of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu to ANLCA National Secretariat on Tuesday.
Send your press invite, news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @PrimetimeRepor1 and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526.
