Onne Customs Area 11 Command engages stakeholders on procedures and trade facilitation challenges

In furtherance of its commitment to trade facilitation and improved revenue generation at Onne Port, the Customs Area Controller of the Port Harcourt Area II Command, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali, has engaged stakeholders on operational procedures and trade facilitation challenges, while charging them to strictly comply with cargo documentation requirements.

The engagement took place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. This was contained in a press release issued and signed by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the Command, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Paul Gimba, and made available to the media on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Addressing stakeholders at the Command’s conference room in Onne, Comptroller Alkali commended them for their cooperation throughout 2025. He noted that the strong synergy between Customs and stakeholders significantly contributed to the Command’s performance, disclosing that revenue collection increased by 15.4 percent in 2025 compared to 2024.

The Area Controller urged stakeholders to ensure strict adherence to cargo clearance documentation, stressing that proper documentation remains critical to seamless port operations.

He said the "Time Release Study (TRS), launched on 26th January 2026 during the celebration of International Customs Day, revealed that improper documentation remains a major factor hindering timely clearance and the fast release of consignments.”

Comptroller Alkali cautioned against the improper use of Pre Arrival Assessment Reports issued for the Port Harcourt Area II Command, stressing that such documents should not be utilised in other Area Commands.

He also emphasised the need for shipping lines to clearly indicate the intention of consignments during manifest transmission, warned against tampering with container tracking devices, and highlighted the importance of timely renewal of Customs bond licences to avoid operational delays.

The engagement climaxed with 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 period before containers are declared abandoned.

The statement noted that stakeholders were encouraged to submit written complaints on unresolved issues to enable proper documentation and follow-up.

Comptroller Alkali assured participants of his commitment to addressing challenges encountered by stakeholders in the clearance of consignments at Onne Port.

Also present at the meeting was the Acting Deputy Comptroller of Revenue, AC H E Obaluyi, who addressed issues raised by stakeholders. Others in attendance included the Deputy Comptroller Administration, DC B J Odedeji, the Deputy Comptroller Enforcement, DC A Hahaha, and the Team Manager of the Customs Intelligence Unit, AC S D Omar, as well as Customs licensed agents, terminal operators, freight forwarders and shipping line representatives operating within the Area.