Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Command, has intensified collaboration with enterprises operating in the zone to promote trade facilitation and enhance revenue generation.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Immaculata Nyong, disclosed this after a three-week tour of facilities and enterprises in the zone. The exercise, which ran from 29 July to 19 August 2025, covered companies including Seplat Energy, ESSO Exploration and Production Nigeria (FZE), TotalEnergies, Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT), West African Container Terminal (WACT), Technip FMC Nigeria Ltd, Baker Hughes, One Subsea Offshore Systems Ltd, Intels Nigeria Ltd, Oil Tools Africa Ltd, Titan Tubular Nigeria (FZE), Hamilton Technologies Nigeria Ltd, and Brawal Oil Service Ltd (FZE).
Comptroller Nyong, accompanied by senior command officers and officials of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, engaged with operators, received operational briefings, and inspected ongoing activities.
She explained that the tour was designed to strengthen stakeholder collaboration, ensure regulatory compliance, facilitate legitimate trade, and boost Federal Government revenue.
“Trade facilitation cannot be achieved in isolation. Our goal is to build synergy with enterprises in the Oil and Gas Free Zone, address concerns, and sustain an enabling environment for businesses to thrive,” she said.
While many operators commended the NCS for its openness and active engagement, some raised concerns about operational challenges, particularly regarding the B’Odogwu clearance system.
In response, Comptroller Nyong reassured stakeholders of the Service’s commitment to resolving such issues and improving efficiency in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ mandate.
She further emphasised that the command would maintain regular engagements with operators to ensure smooth operations and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness as an oil and gas logistics hub.
