Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Customs Area Controller of PH I Command, Port Harcourt, Comptroller Salamatu Atukulu, paid a courtesy visit to the Quarantine Service and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, at the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Complex, Port Harcourt.
The visit, aimed at strengthening cooperation among port agencies, underscored the CAC’s commitment to enhancing inter-agency collaboration and cooperation.
Speaking during the visit, Comptroller Salamatu expressed appreciation for the warm reception and noted that the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Quarantine Service, and SON perform complementary roles in ensuring that only safe, quality, and compliant goods are allowed into the country.
According to her: “The Nigeria Customs Service depends on the technical expertise of agencies such as Quarantine and SON to safeguard the nation from substandard and unsafe products. Our collective responsibility is to protect Nigeria’s economy, environment, and the well-being of our people.”
She reaffirmed that the Area I Command remains committed to the NCS’s core mandates in alignment with the Comptroller-General’s policy thrust of Collaboration, Consolidation, and Innovation.
Emphasising that the efficiency of port operations relies on mutual trust and cooperation, she added: “When we work together, we create a system that is smoother, faster, and more transparent; one that truly serves the interests of our nation.”
Reiterating her commitment to sustaining strong working relationships with all port agencies, the CAC assured that the Area I Command would continue to pursue meaningful engagements that promote collective progress, national interest, and a more responsive, integrated port system.
Deputy Comptroller of the Quarantine Service, Biodun Ogunfuye, commended the CAC for the visit, describing it as a timely and strategic move towards strengthening inter-agency collaboration.
He noted that the roles of the Quarantine Service and the NCS are closely aligned, as both agencies are vital to safeguarding the nation’s economy and protecting public health.
Explaining further, he said: “While Quarantine focuses on inspecting and certifying agricultural imports and exports to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, Customs ensures such trade complies with national regulations and international standards. Our collaboration helps secure Nigeria’s borders against biological threats while promoting safe and legitimate agricultural trade that supports food security and the economy.”
Engineer Ekenedirichukwu Edum of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, highlighted SON’s role in ensuring that goods entering or leaving the Nigerian market meet approved quality and safety standards.
He emphasised that this mandate complements the NCS’s function of enforcing compliance at the ports, as both agencies share the common goal of protecting consumers, ensuring fair trade, and strengthening national development.
He assured the Comptroller of SON of the organisation’s unwavering support in promoting a more efficient and transparent port system.
“When Customs, SON, and other agencies work hand in hand, we not only enhance trade facilitation but also build public confidence in government institutions,” he added.
