Nigeria Customs Service And The Emergence Of Odest Bonded Terminal, Others
As one of the revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has over the years, kept strategizing and re-strategizing in various ways, to continue to boost its revenue generation to the federal government.
CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi
The quest to continually improve and meet up with its annual revenue target by the federal government, brought about the establishment of bonded terminals by freight forwarders through Nigeria Customs Services’ authorization.
The establishment of bonded terminals first started in Lagos State, which is under the Western Zone in the maritime industry. The essence of the initiative and other strategic policy of the Customs, particularly under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, were meant to reposition and boost the revenue generation of the Nigeria Customs Service across Commands.
The next zone, shortly after Lagos State, was PortHarcourt, which is also under the Eastern Zone of the maritime business. Within PortHarcourt Area 1 and II Commands of the Nigeria Customs Service, there was no doubt, that some bonded terminals were already in place, before the emergence of others.
However, as a visionary leader and businessman, Mr. Chidera Sylvester Oganuzor, the MD/CEO, Odest Global Resources Limited, who saw the prospect of the open window by the Nigeria Customs Service, while on a rented office apartment at Stadium Road, PortHarcourt, quickly keyed to the vision.
His determination to start and complete what was then, adjudged to be a “first class” bonded terminal by the then Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Onne Area II Customs Command, Comptroller Auwal Mohammed, brought about the emergence of what is today, known as Odest Bonded Terminal.
The completion of the then proposed Odest Bonded Terminal at Eneka Road, PortHarcourt, heralded the movement of Odest Global Resources Limited, from a rented office to a permanent site in 2022.
Having been satisfied with the environment and facilities in place, CAC Auwal Mohammed commissioned Odest Bonded Terminal for use in November, 2022. It is evident that from the time of Auwal Mohammed to his predecessors, which include the then: CAC Baba Imam, CAC Mohammed Babandende and the current CAC Aliyu Alkali, that Odest Bonded Terminal has continued to live up to expectations.
Worthy of note is that both the then CACs Auwal Mohammed, Baba Imam and Mohammed Babandende, shortly after leaving Onne Area II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, were appointed Assistant Comptroller Generals (ACGs) of Customs, respectively. The appointments were testaments of their leadership prowess and commitment to the business of the Nigeria Customs Service, while at the Command.
In terms of revenue generation to the Nigeria Customs Service, through the Onne Area II Command; Odest Bonded Terminal, according to Mr. Chidera Oganuzor is among, if not the highest revenue generator to the Onne Area II Customs Command, as a bonded terminal.
This revenue affirmation by Mr. Chidera Oganuzor is an indication and acknowledgement that the vision of the Nigeria Customs Service in the establishment of bonded terminals across zones, is indeed, a welcome development.
In line with the ‘Policy Thrust’ of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Odest Global Resources Limited (Operators of Odest Bonded Terminal), has continued to maintain international best practices in carrying out its business activities and maintaining excellent customers relationships.
Mr. Chidera Oganuzor, has over the years, ensured that contraband goods, as well as pharmaceutical products do not find their ways into Odest Bonded Terminal, as pharmaceutical products have their designated Commands, as approved by the Nigeria Customs Service, according to Mr. Chidera Oganuzor.
As a man, who has obtained grace from God or simply put as “grace personified,’ Mr. Chidera Oganuzor, has transformed Odest Bonded Terminal to a household name in the business of clearing and forwarding in PortHarcourt, the Eastern Zone and the country at large.
Mr. Chidera Oganuzor
Indeed, the last 3 years plus of Odest Bonded Terminal has been both productive and impactful in all ramifications. Little wonder the trust and relationship that have existed between him (Oganuzor), the Customs officers operating in the bonded terminal, the importers and fellow freight forwarders in the last 3 years plus of operation, as a Customs licensed bonded terminal.
Mr. Chidera Sylvester Oganuzor, the MD/CEO, Odest Global Resources Limited (Operators of Odest Bonded Terminal) is indeed, “Grace Personified,” the “Man of The Match,” and will continue to be the “Man of The Match” in the freight forwarding business.
Comr. Blaise Tochukwu Elumezie
Publisher & Media Consultant, Wrote In From PortHarcourt, The Rivers State Capital.
