NCS FOU Zone “C”: Ag. Comptr. Nadaniya Receives Onne Chapter Exco Of ANLCA, Other Stakeholders

In a bid to continue in his familiarisation tour to the various Commands and Units of the Nigeria Customs Service and the security agencies operating in the Eastern Zone of the country; the Acting Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone “C,” Owerri, Comptroller Nadaniya, has received the Exco of ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter and other freight forwarders operating in the Eastern Zone.

Addressing Deputy Comptrollers, Assistant Comptrollers, other senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, as well as distinguished maritime stakeholders, and members of the business community on the 22nd of October, 2026; Ag. Comptr. Farouk Nadaniya said:
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this important stakeholders’ meeting.

“First and foremost, I give thanks to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to serve and for bringing us together today. I equally wish to express my profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Ph.D, MFR, DSM, FNIPR, FNIAA, psc(+), and his entire Management Team for finding me worthy of the trust and confidence to serve as the Acting Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’, Owerri, Imo State.

“I consider this appointment a great honour and a call to higher responsibility.
My relationship with many of you is not entirely new, as I had the opportunity to work with many of you during my earlier assignment under the Strike Force, Zone ‘C’.

“Recently, I had the privilege of serving as a Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Compliance at Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne.

“These experiences have afforded me the opportunity to interact with many of you and appreciate the vital role you play in the effective implementation of the Service’s mandate. It is, therefore, always a pleasure to be in your midst.

“The purpose of this meeting is to strengthen our existing relationship, promote mutual understanding, and seek your continued cooperation and support in advancing the objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“As we all know, the effective discharge of our responsibilities requires a strong partnership between the Service and its stakeholders.

“Our collective priority is to facilitate legitimate trade, protect government revenue, enforce compliance with extant Customs laws and regulations, and combat smuggling and other forms of illicit trade.

“These objectives are best achieved when we work together in an atmosphere of trust, transparency, professionalism, and mutual respect.
In this regard, I wish to solicit your cooperation and assure you of my commitment to maintaining an open and constructive relationship with all stakeholders.

“I encourage you to continue to engage with the Service through the appropriate channels, provide useful feedback, and promptly address any challenge that may hinder the smooth conduct of legitimate business.

“Similarly, I wish to appeal to you to expedite action towards clearing the backlog of unutilized SGDs, bearing in mind that revenue collection remains one of the core responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“The persistent backlog has necessitated the deployment of Customs Police for revenue recovery. I urge you to seize this opportunity to address the situation decisively and ensure prompt clearance of all outstanding SGDs.

“Regarding transires, always ensure strict compliance with all established Nigeria Customs Service procedures and regulations. However, I wish to acknowledge the support and cooperation you extended to my predecessor.

“I sincerely appreciate the cordial relationship that existed during his tenure, and I look forward to receiving the same level of cooperation, understanding, and goodwill. I believe that, working together, we can build on the achievements already recorded and further improve operational efficiency, trade facilitation, and service delivery within our area of responsibility.

“Let me emphasise that our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade does not diminish our resolve to enforce compliance. Rather, we shall continue to promote a fair and transparent operating environment, where compliant traders are supported, while deliberate violations of Customs laws are addressed in accordance with the law.

“I assure you that my leadership will remain guided by fairness, professionalism, accountability, and the overall interest of the Nigeria Customs Service and the nation.

“I equally expect stakeholders to uphold their responsibilities by complying with the relevant laws and regulations governing importation, exportation, and other customsrelated activities.

“Distinguished stakeholders, I welcome you all and thank you for honouring this invitation. I look forward to fruitful deliberations and a renewed commitment to cooperation for the benefit of the Service, the business community, and our great nation, Nigeria.

“Thank you and God bless you,'” Acting Comptroller Nadaniya stated.

In his response, the ANLCA Chairman, Onne Seaport chapter, Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku, assured the Acting Comptroller that his members will comply fully with the payment of Customs duties, and further assured him of a peaceful and cordial working relationship between freight forwarders and the Nigeria Customs Service.

The meeting witnessed the presence of ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter Treasurer, Prince Samuel Amadi; Chief Pius Onyemaizu, ANLCA Financial Secretary; the BOT Secretary of ANLCA, Chief Kingsley Offor; the immediate past Chairman of ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter, Chief Mike Ebeatu; Rtn. Deacon Chinedu Ikenga, GM, Prestige Associates Limited; Chief Solomon Onyejido, and Mr. Chidera Oganuzor, MD/CEO, Odest Global Resources Limited (Operators of Bonded Terminal), among others.