By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: In a renewed drive to strengthen collaboration and promote efficient trade facilitation, the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, has embarked on a familiarization tour of key excise factories and bonded warehouses within the command’s operational jurisdiction.
The visit, according to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Barilule Aanee, forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to deepen stakeholder engagement, encourage compliance, and sustain a culture of transparency in trade operations.
During the tour, Comptroller Atuluku commended the management of the facilities visited for their commitment to legitimate business practices, stressing that Customs operations thrive best through active collaboration with industry players.
“Customs cannot work in isolation. Our success depends on the level of cooperation we receive from our stakeholders,” she stated.
The Area Controller emphasized that regular engagement and consultation with stakeholders help the Service identify operational challenges, strengthen compliance culture, and jointly develop solutions that promote trade efficiency and enhance revenue collection.
At the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) and International Breweries Plc, Atuluku praised the organizations for their contributions to national development through job creation, responsible corporate citizenship, and adherence to excise regulations. She assured the companies of the Command’s continued partnership and commitment to maintaining a business-friendly environment built on transparency, accountability, and consistency in trade documentation.
While inspecting QuickA and Express Concerns Bonded Warehouses, Comptroller Atuluku underscored the importance of proper inventory management, accurate record keeping, and strict adherence to Customs procedures. She cautioned operators against practices capable of undermining revenue generation, urging them to sustain high standards of compliance in their daily operations.
Responding, representatives of the visited facilities expressed gratitude for the Area Controller’s visit, describing it as timely, engaging, and inspiring. They noted that such direct interface between Customs and the private sector promotes better understanding, builds trust, and creates avenues for dialogue on operational challenges affecting trade facilitation.
In her closing remarks, Comptroller Atuluku reaffirmed her resolve to strengthen the partnership between the Command and key industry stakeholders, assuring that the Nigeria Customs Service under her watch would continue to pursue its mandate with professionalism, vigour, and transparency.
The facilities visited include the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), International Breweries Plc, QuickA Bonded Warehouse, and Express Concerns Bonded Warehouse.
According to the statement, the visit aligns with the Customs Area 1 Command’s strategic focus on fostering collaboration, ensuring compliance, and enhancing operational efficiency in line with the core objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
