From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos

Cargo clearance time at the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will reduce to about two hours when the B’Odogwu system is fully implemented, Compt. Frank Onyeka has said.Onyeka, speaking at the command in Lagos during a courtesy visit by members of the Shipping Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (SCAN), noted that the new technology is glitch-free, and would ease the difficulties in cargo clearance, as well as facilitate trade.

However, he emphasised that this would only favour importers who make honest declarations, while non-compliant importers and clearing agents would have themselves to blame.Compt. Onyeka explained that “under normal circumstances, when B’Odogwu comes to Tin Can and you declare appropriately, you can move your goods in two hours. I can tell you categorically because B’Odogwu is ours; B’Odogwu is fresh, and network glitch-free.”To this end, he said, the command is already carrying out massive stakeholder sensitisation and training of relevant personnel, including customs officers and men, clearing agents and importers, as well as shipping companies and shipping lines.Compt. Onyeka noted that due to lack of knowledge, people were yet to really key into the B’Odogwu platform. With the ongoing sensitisation campaign, however, he expressed optimism that more people would come on board.According to him, customs are ready, but “the problem now is that agents are changing from what is considered the norm to something that is about to be perfect, and it will take a while. So, we are there sensitising them and getting good news. They are keying into it.”Meanwhile, Onyeka disclosed that the command generated an impressive N145 billion in April 2025, a N49.3 billion increase from the N95.7 billion collected in April 2024. More so, the command has already collected N27 billion in the ongoing May 2025.Stressing the place of appropriate declarations in trade facilitation at the seaports, Onyeka explained that “if declarations are appropriate, and without falsehood, everything moves seamlessly. I came on board and told them this: declare appropriately.Nevertheless, he commended the drastic increase in trade-compliance level at the Tin Can Port, stating that it is the reason for fewer seizures, as the smugglers are keeping off the port.All the same, Compt. Onyeka warned importers and agents that he is neither a businessman, importer nor clearing agent, but simply a customs officer with clear records, and will, therefore, not support anyone involved in shady deals. “My body language will tell you (that) certain things should not come my way,” he added. “And I’ll tell them, don’t bring it to Tin Can port because, as far as I am concerned, there is nothing like an abandoned seizure. I will seize it, prosecute you to a logical conclusion.”Earlier, the President of SCAN and leader of the delegation, Moses Ebosele, commended the CAC for his open-door policy, adding that members of SCAN are guided by the ethics of the profession.