Comptroller Babatunde Olomu , CAC, Apapa Customs Command, Lagos
A licensed clearing agent and former Secretary of ANLCA, Alhaji Babatunde Mukaila has hailed the existing cordial relationship at the Apapa Port powered by the Customs Area Controller, Dr. Babatunde Olomu.
Speaking during the Command’s Half Year performance report on Thursday, he pointed out the Command’s unprecedented improvement in customs-stakeholder relations under his leadership. Mukaila described the current level of engagement as “unprecedented” and praised the Controller for the transparent and accessible leadership style, noting that the Apapa Command has now become a trusted partner for honest freight forwarders.
According to him, “Apapa Port is the largest and most transparent port in the country, where clearing agents who wish to conduct clean, trouble-free business are guaranteed fair treatment.” Mukaila also lauded the recent digital improvements within the Command, particularly the platform that now allows importers to receive real-time updates on their transactions.
Continuing, he appealed for the inclusion of licensed customs agents in the feedback process, noting that while importers currently receive updates, their clearing agents are sometimes left unaware, which can create communication gaps. He urged the Customs Service to address this challenge to further strengthen the digital platform and enhance trade predictability.
Mukaila, who has spent over 26 years in port business also advised the Customs Service not to shy away from addressing the initial challenges that come with new digital platforms, stressing that such teething problems are normal and should be jointly addressed with stakeholders.
Responding, Comptroller Olomu, who thanked Alhaji Mukaila for his comments, was quick to acknowledge the critical role played by sister government agencies operating within the port and averred that the robust intelligence sharing and joint consultations between the Customs Service and other security agencies have significantly frustrated criminal networks and enhanced national security. He stressed that the synergy will be further strengthened in the collective interest of the nation.
