By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: In furtherance of efforts to enhance trade facilitation and boost revenue generation at Onne Port, the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area II Command, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali, has engaged key stakeholders on operational procedures and trade facilitation challenges, while charging them to ensure strict compliance with cargo documentation.
The engagement, which held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, was disclosed in a press release issued and signed by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the command, ASC I Paul Gimba, and made available to journalists on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking at the command’s conference room in Onne, Comptroller Alkali commended stakeholders for their cooperation throughout 2025, noting that the strong synergy between the command and port users contributed significantly to its performance. He disclosed that the Port Harcourt Area II Command recorded a 15.4 per cent increase in revenue collection in 2025 compared to 2024.
The Area Controller stressed that strict adherence to cargo clearance documentation remains critical to seamless port operations, explaining that findings from the Time Release Study (TRS), launched on January 26, 2026, during the International Customs Day celebration, identified improper documentation as a major factor delaying cargo clearance and the timely release of consignments.
Comptroller Alkali cautioned stakeholders against the improper utilisation of Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAAR) issued for Port Harcourt Area II Command in other Area Commands, warning that such practices undermine efficiency and compliance. He also urged shipping lines to clearly state the intention of consignments during manifest transmission, cautioned against tampering with container tracking devices, and emphasised the need for timely renewal of Customs bond licences to avoid operational delays.
The engagement featured an interactive question-and-answer session, during which stakeholders raised concerns relating to delays in job transfers and operations, disparities in land charges between western and eastern ports, manifest upload timelines, and the duration before containers are declared abandoned.
According to the statement, stakeholders were encouraged to submit written complaints on unresolved issues to enable proper documentation and follow-up by the command.
Comptroller Alkali assured participants of his commitment to addressing challenges encountered in the clearance of consignments at Onne Port, reiterating the command’s resolve to sustain transparency, efficiency, and constructive engagement with stakeholders.
Also present at the meeting were the Acting Deputy Comptroller of Revenue, AC HE Obaluyi; the Deputy Comptroller Administration, DC BJ Odedeji; the Deputy Comptroller Enforcement, DC A Hahaha; and the Team Manager, Customs Intelligence Unit, AC SD Omar, alongside customs-licensed agents, terminal operators, freight forwarders, and shipping line representatives operating within the command.
