We want a port system that works for government and all of us – PTML ANLCA Chairman, Nwareinne

A few years back, Chief Charles Nwareinne was elected as the Chairman of PTML Port Chapter of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA). Overtime he has become a respected figure not only in the PTML environs but in the entire Tincan port and ANLCA nationally.

In this interview with our reporter, Gboyega Oni, in Lagos, Nwareinne critically examines the impacts of the operations of the Customs, PTML Port and other agencies on cargo clearance. He also sheds lights on his administration. Here is the full interview.

PN: How has the journey been since you assumed office as the Chairman of the PTML Chapter of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), taking into details of achievements, challenges and plans for further progress, especially in the area of members’ welfare?

Chief Charles Nwareinne: The journey so far has been both challenging and rewarding. When we assumed office, we understood that the responsibility was not just about administering the Chapter but also about protecting the interests of our members and ensuring that their businesses can operate in a more predictable and efficient environment.

One of our major priorities has been members’ welfare and effective representation. We have strengthened engagement with relevant government agencies, terminal management and other stakeholders so that issues affecting our members can be addressed promptly.

We have also paid attention to issues such as access to the port, cargo clearance, valuation, examination, documentation, demurrage and other operational challenges that directly affect the business of licensed customs agents.

However, we are not claiming that everything has been solved. There are still challenges, particularly with delays arising from processes, technology, valuation and inter-agency procedures.

Going forward, our focus is to build a stronger and more united Chapter, improve communication with members, strengthen our welfare programmes and ensure that the voice of the licensed customs agents is heard whenever policies affecting port operations are being formulated.

Our ultimate objective is simple: when the port works efficiently, our members’ businesses will become more viable, government revenue will improve and the Nigerian economy will benefit.

PN: Cargo handling and delivery at PTML Port – what is your assessment, and what should be done to further improve cargo delivery, especially as the port management is considering port expansion?

Chief Charles Nwareinne: PTML remains one of the important terminals in Nigeria’s maritime sector, particularly because of its role in handling Ro-Ro and other categories of cargo. I would say that there have been improvements in cargo handling and delivery, particularly in the deployment of technology and efforts by management to improve terminal operations.

However, there is still room for significant improvement.

Cargo delivery should not only be about the physical capacity of the terminal; it must also involve the efficiency of the entire clearance chain. You can expand the port, but if documentation, Customs processes, examination, scanning, valuation and other regulatory procedures remain slow, the benefit of expansion will be limited.

Therefore, as PTML considers expansion, we would like to see expansion of both physical infrastructure and operational capacity.

There should be improved cargo-handling equipment, adequate parking and holding areas, better traffic management, faster examination processes and more efficient digital systems.

Most importantly, the different government agencies operating around the port must work as one system. The National Single Window initiative is particularly important in this regard.

Our position is that port expansion should ultimately translate into faster cargo delivery, lower cost of doing business and reduced dwell time, not merely an increase in physical infrastructure.

PN:PTML is a unique command to the Nigeria Customs Service as it often serves as a pilot area for the implementation of the new tools and initiatives of the Service. How would you rate the Customs Area Command in terms of service delivery, before and now that DC Miko is in charge as Acting Controller?

Chief Charles Nwareinne: PTML Customs Command is indeed a unique command because of the nature and volume of cargo it handles, and because it has often been used as a testing ground for new Customs initiatives.

From the perspective of our members, I would say that there has been a noticeable effort by the Command to improve service delivery. Since the assumption of office of DC Miko as Acting Controller, we have seen an emphasis on engagement and responsiveness to operational issues.

However, I would like to make it clear that as an association, our responsibility is not simply to praise Customs or criticise Customs. We are stakeholders, and our objective is to ensure that the system works.

There are areas where Customs has improved, but there are also areas requiring further attention, particularly valuation, system challenges, examination processes and the speed of resolving issues affecting declarations.

The Acting Controller has an important responsibility because PTML is a very busy command. What we expect is a command that is firm but accessible, technology-driven but human-centred, and revenue-conscious without unnecessarily frustrating legitimate trade.

If we can maintain continuous dialogue between Customs and licensed customs agents, I believe service delivery will improve even further.

PN: The Nigeria Customs Service has introduced various tools such as B’Odogwu and MIS to speed up cargo clearance. What is your assessment of these tools? Have they helped to boost cargo clearance?

Chief Charles Nwareinne: The introduction of B’Odogwu and other digital tools is a positive step towards modernising the Nigeria Customs Service. In principle, we support automation because the future of Customs administration is technology-driven.

However, the success of any technology should ultimately be measured by the experience of the end user.

B’Odogwu has the potential to significantly improve cargo clearance by reducing manual processes, improving transparency and providing better visibility of transactions. The MIS system and other digital interventions also have the potential to make Customs operations more data-driven.

But there have been teething challenges. Whenever you introduce a major technological system into an environment as complex as Customs, you will experience issues involving system integration, user familiarity, data, valuation and connectivity.

What we need now is continuous improvement rather than abandoning the technology because of initial challenges.

There should also be stronger engagement with the licensed customs agents who use these platforms every day. We should be able to report problems and receive timely solutions.

Another important issue is integration. We now have different government agencies developing their own digital innovations. For example, if one agency introduces a new identification or documentation system while another platform still requires the old format, it creates another layer of difficulty.

That is why the National Single Window must become the umbrella framework that harmonises these different government digital systems.

So, yes, the tools are moving us in the right direction, but their effectiveness will depend on continuous refinement, integration and responsiveness to users’ experiences.

PN: You have Customs, PTML Management, SON, NAFDAC and other agencies to deal with. How cordial is your relationship with these organisations, and what positive impact have they brought to the operations of your members?

Chief Charles Nwareinne: Our relationship with these agencies has generally been cordial and based on mutual respect and professional engagement.

As an association, we understand that every agency has its statutory responsibilities. Customs has its responsibilities, SON has its responsibilities, NAFDAC has its responsibilities and the terminal operator also has its own responsibilities.

Our responsibility as ANLCA is to ensure that these different responsibilities do not unnecessarily create bottlenecks for legitimate businesses.

We have maintained dialogue with the relevant agencies, and this has helped us in resolving some operational challenges affecting our members.

One thing I strongly believe in is stakeholder engagement. You cannot run a modern port successfully if Customs is working separately from the terminal, the terminal is working separately from SON, SON separately from NAFDAC, and everybody separately from the freight forwarders.

There must be coordination.

Where we have had challenges, we have tried to resolve them through dialogue rather than confrontation. And where government agencies have introduced reforms that improve transparency and efficiency, we have supported them.

But cordiality does not mean that we will remain silent when our members face legitimate challenges. We will continue to speak up constructively whenever policies or procedures negatively affect legitimate trade.

PN: Is there any other information you may wish to let the maritime public know?

Chief Charles Nwareinne: Yes. I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to all stakeholders in the maritime industry to see ourselves as partners rather than adversaries.

The licensed customs agent is a very important component of the maritime value chain. When cargo clearance is delayed, the consequences affect everybody—the importer, the freight forwarder, the terminal operator, government revenue and ultimately the Nigerian consumer.

We therefore need a system where government revenue is protected while legitimate trade is facilitated.

I also want to assure our members that the ANLCA PTML Chapter will continue to represent their interests responsibly. We will continue to engage Customs, terminal management and other government agencies on issues affecting our members.

We support reforms, automation and initiatives aimed at improving the Nigerian port system. But reforms must be practical, properly integrated and user-friendly.

Finally, as the government moves forward with port expansion, the National Single Window and other maritime reforms, our expectation is that these initiatives will lead to faster clearance, lower transaction costs, greater transparency and a more competitive Nigerian maritime sector.

Our message is clear: we want a port system that works for government, works for terminal operators, works for licensed customs agents and, most importantly, works for the Nigerian economy.