The newly appointed Customs Area Controller of the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Command, Onne Port Harcourt, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali, has reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating trade and ensuring compliance within the zone.
During a strategic meeting on February 13, 2025, held at the Free Zone Authority Mable House, Onne, Rivers State, Comptroller Alkali engaged key government agencies, enterprises, shipping companies, and industry associations operating within the Oil and Gas FTZ.
Addressing the gathering, he emphasized the importance of strict adherence to trade regulations and urged all freight forwarders, enterprises, and stakeholders to perfect their Single Goods Declaration on pre-release approval within 14 days of a transaction.
“Adhering to this directive will enable the command to maintain accurate records and ensure a seamless business environment,” he stated.
Reaffirming the Customs Service’s commitment to trade facilitation, Comptroller Alkali added:
“Our goal is to foster a compliant and business-friendly atmosphere, promoting a stronger working relationship between stakeholders and the Nigeria Customs Service.”
During the meeting, stakeholders—including representatives from the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Police Force, Eastern Ports Command, Nigeria Immigration Service Oil and Gas FTZ Command, and Notore Petrochemical Company—raised various concerns. Comptroller Alkali demonstrated a keen interest in addressing these challenges to ensure smooth operations within the zone.
“With this proactive approach, we aim to bolster economic activities in the Oil and Gas FTZ while ensuring compliance and efficient service delivery across all operational facets,” he assured.
Welcoming Comptroller Alkali to the zone, the General Manager of Operations at OGFZA, Adekunle Ajayi, who represented the Managing Director of OGFZA, pledged full cooperation to support the Customs Command in achieving its objectives.
