Notwithstanding enormous challenges engendered by operational hitches and policy enforcement guidelines as directed by the Federal Government through the Customs high command in Abuja, Comptroller Charles Edike Eporwei who heads the Apapa Area command continues to strive at effective policy implementation/enforcement.

Speaking with Maritime Insider crew in his office, controller Edike said he believes that man was born to encounter and surmount challenges. According to him “we are at Apapa command are strengthened by challenges. Our focus is to implement government policies, facilitate trade and enforce guidelines that protect our economy. Our people see some of the policies as harsh, yes, to those who think short term it may appear so, but if you look further you will realize that the long term benefits are enormous. Let’s look at them:

  RICE

The idea behind the increase on rice tariff is to discourage rice importation, grow local rice production and ultimately stop rice importation by Nigerians into Nigeria. Huge investments in rice production have been made in states like kwara, kano, bayelsa, sokoto, Adamawa, Bauchi  and others. These are huge investments that must be protected. Government plan is to ensure that these investments grow and yield return to the investors. Not only returns but also to ensure food sufficiency in the country, create jobs and create wealth for citizens. Contrary to the thinking that the federal government banned rice importation, rice importation was not banned by. What government did was to increase the duty payable on imported rice to discourage importation and not to attract revenue to itself. Revenue generation is not the focus but national development. Agriculture is a sector with huge potentials and government wants to develop agriculture and other sectors but our people fail to see the long term benefits. Our neighboring countries also took advantage of the hike. They reduced their tariff on rice and our people were offloading rice there and smuggling them to Nigeria. To stem the tide government has taken the proactive step by doing a review and as we speak, rice is being offloaded at Apapa port and things are looking up

trade facilitation

PAAR

Service providers left a huge backlog of Risk Assessment Reports, RAR. These had to be cleared for The Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR to commence. The  Controller General graciously gave importers concessions to clear all such outstanding cargoes While some importers took advantage of the opportunity, others did nothing. PAAR too off and as a new initiative, challenges were bound to arise. Don’t forget that PAAR is a computer programming software designed by officers and men of the Nigerian Customs Service. It is a wholly Nigerian idea that we all should be proud of but because of interests here and there, some groups and persons did not want it to succeed. The CG is aware of this so he worked round the clock to ensure it success. Today as I speak with you, PAAR is working perfectly! Importer are very excited. So all we need is patience and cooperation. No human product is perfect. We continue to strive at ensuring that we achieve our objectives at all times.  The main challenge was technology but it has now been resolved. Bad bele was also there. There was a storm, but the CGC and his team work very hard and we have conquered.

Edike caca p

CIU, FOU and your operation

We are a team. There is no conflict. The Controller General has given us clear directives, role and mandates. Nobody encroach in the functions of another. All of us are working towards same goals and objective of the federal Government. Customs Investigation unit, CIU, Federal operations Unit, FOU have their duties. Those who are afraid of CIU, FOU or any Customs officer/Unit should explain why. For us at Apapa, we know out duties and responsibilities. No one can interfere with nor meddle in our work/duties. The rules/guidelines are very clear and known by all officers of the Service. Like I have stated already, there is no conflict. Customs is Customs; we are one and the same.

IT Compliance

No other Customs command can be more Information Technology, IT, compliant than the Apapa area command. We are the hub, Centre of excellence, if I may borrow that phrase. What works at Apapa will work anywhere, what does not work here cannot work anywhere. We are the model command, the flag ship. We are very IT compliant. Our officers are IT savvy. They receive regular trainings and are up to date with developments because IT is something that throws up regular challenges. It is very dynamic, what works today may not work tomorrow if you are not vigilant and alert.

The APMT Building

Progress has been made considerably; the last time I visited they were fitting and installing examinations trays. Once the installation is complete and other facilities are in place, I am sure they would hand over to us. It is a big structure which I believe would enhance our work and the impact on cargo examination would be felt by all stakeholders.

Connectivity

Some things are within our control, we manage them, and others are not. We are as prepared and proactive as anyone can be but when it comes to natural factor like storm, wind and flood holding them back is beyond human power. Sometime ago our roof was blown off by storm. Our communication mast was also affected including the server. In less than forty eight hours communication was restored and a few days later everything was up and running. It would amount to mischief and outright falsehood for anyone to say that our server is always breaking down. Such people are the same people who will say customs cannot handle PAAR. It is not unfortunate that such people are in our midst, they are everywhere. My own advice to them is to verify anything they hear before spreading it. Connectivity is something that is affected by several factors. The banks battle with it regularly, telecom operators are often caught in it and no one complains but once it is Customs, it becomes a matter for public debate. It shows how expectant stakeholders are and Customs is always working at meeting their expectations.

Relationship with customs agent

As licensed custom agents they have their duties and responsibilities in international trade. They are everywhere in the world, working for and on behalf of importers. At Apapa we hold regular meetings with them and discuss their challenges and issues Customs and licensed agents. The CGC encourages such meetings and he wants us to have such meetings as often as possible. The meetings and interactions have enhanced our work, issues are resolved and challenges addressed.   We explain what is not clear, provide answers to questions and issues raised are dealt with. Our officers and men have become more diligent and professional in conduct because they know if they cross the line or engage in unorthodox conduct , they will be dealt with. At Apapa we have a very cordial working relationship with customs licensed agents.

Compliance Level

Compliance is better that what it used to be and it’s getting better by the day. Agents have become more compliant because of the benefits arising therefrom. There are still some who prefer cutting corners to save cost and make money from importers but they are also realizing that it pays more to do what is right that pretend not to know. All agents at Apapa know that our doors are always open. If you see a door wide open but prefer to enter through the window, then something is wrong! We are very alert to such characters. We have made it very clear that under declaration, false declaration, concealment/smuggling are economic crimes. Anyone engaging in such acts will be treated like a criminal.

Steaming of Containers

For us at Apapa area command, we believe in national integration, development and expansion of opportunities. We also believe that our duty as officers and men of the Service is to the federal government with the CGC as chief administrator. All our efforts will amount to nothing if we become selfish and self-centered. We also know that all revenue, whether collected at Apapa, Calabar, Kirikiri, Lilipond, Owerri, anywhere in Nigeria go into  Federal government coffers for national development. It would be a disservice on anyone’s part to struggle to examine a hundred containers, for instance, when other terminals have none to examine. While some persons are idle, others elsewhere are over worked, under pressure and tense. Why not spread the work, make it easier and lighter and still collect same revenue? That is our philosophy and we shall continue to steam containers to other terminals, keep them engaged and in business. Some persons don’t like it but we have the blessings of the CGC and we shall not relent.

Customs licensed agents/port users who spoke with our reports within Apapa, Lagos described controller  Charles Edike as a patriotic, humane, dedicated officer who believes in equity, truth and sincerity.  According to mr. chucks Eze “the controller is a nice man. He does what he wants to do quietly. He does not believe in exhibiting his activities to attract public accolade. If you do the right thing you will be his friend but if you want to pretend and cheat, he does not tolerate such”.

For Wole Odun, Controller Edike is a no nonsense person. “As simple as the man appears, you cannot fool him. He sees you inside out. If you are lying he knows, if you are saying the truth he also knows. The way you come to him that’s how he deals with you”