By our Correspondent
The Acting Controller, North Western Marine Command (NWMC), Deputy Comptroller Nnamdi Agwu psc, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to marine security, trade facilitation and stakeholder collaboration, while highlighting Lokoja’s potential as an inland waterway logistics hub.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Abdulhamid Chubado, Agwu made the commitment during a stakeholders’ engagement themed “Engaging Stakeholders for Effective Collaboration.” He pledged to align his leadership with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation, while advancing the Nigeria Customs Service’s core mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and trade facilitation.
During the engagement, Mr Edwin Ignatius, Head of the State Area Office of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), highlighted Lokoja’s strategic position at the confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue, noting its potential to serve as an inland waterway logistics hub linking producers and cargo owners to markets across Nigeria.
Participants explored opportunities to improve cargo movement, expand market access and reduce pressure on road-based supply chains. Agriculture, food processing, mineral production and manufacturing were identified as key sectors that could benefit, with potential cargoes including agricultural produce, processed food, minerals, industrial materials and agricultural inputs.
Other contributors included Dr Damisa Suleiman, Chairman of the Sesame Seed Association, and Mr Habu Rajah Suleiman, Chairman of the National Shippers Association of Nigeria and Deputy President I of KOCCIMA.
Agwu urged stakeholders to strengthen cooperation with Customs through regulatory compliance, accurate documentation and the timely sharing of credible security information. He emphasised that such collaboration must facilitate legitimate trade while upholding the Service’s statutory responsibilities.
The Command reiterated its commitment to promoting safer waterways, facilitating lawful trade and sustaining constructive engagement with stakeholders.
