By Miriam Humbe
The newly appointed Customs Area Controller of the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Command, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali, has reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating trade and ensuring compliance within the Zone.
Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, P. I. Gimbal who is the Public Relations Officer disclosed this in a statement signed on Thursday for CAC Oil and Gas FTZ Command.
In an effort to strengthen collaboration and enhance economic activities, Comptroller Alkali recently engaged with key government agencies, enterprises, shipping companies, and associations operating within the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone.
During the strategic meeting, he interacted with government agencies, including the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority (OGFTZA), the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Eastern Ports Command, and the Nigeria Immigration Service Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Command.
Notable enterprises such as INTELS, Notore Petrochemical Company, Indorama Petrochemical Company, and Total Energies were represented.
Shipping companies, including OMT and Blue Star Shipping Company, as well as freight forwarders like PrimePort and Quicka, were also in attendance.
Associations of clearing agents such as the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) participated in the dialogue.
Addressing the stakeholders, Comptroller Alkali emphasized the need for compliance with trade regulations, urging all freight forwarders, enterprises, and other stakeholders to perfect their SGD(s) on pre-release approval within fourteen (14) days of transaction.
He stressed that adherence to this directive would enable the Command to maintain accurate records and ensure a seamless business environment.
He reiterated the Command’s goal of fostering a compliant and business-friendly atmosphere, promoting a stronger working relationship between stakeholders and the Nigeria Customs Service.
The General Manager of Operations at OGFTZA, Mr. Adekunle Ajayi, who represented the Managing Director of OGFTZA, welcomed Comptroller Alkali to the Zone and assured him of their full cooperation in achieving the set objectives.
The Customs Area Controller also took the opportunity to address questions and concerns raised by stakeholders, demonstrating a keen interest in resolving challenges that may hinder smooth operations within the Zone.
With this proactive approach, Comptroller Alkali aimed to bolster economic activities in the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone while ensuring compliance and efficient service delivery across all operational facets.
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