Frank Onyeka, CAC TCIP
B’Odogwu Has Come to Stay – Comptroller Onyeka
Tincan Island Port Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has emphasized that the indigenous customs unified management system, ‘B’Odogwu’, will significantly boost revenue generation. This aligns with the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR’s tripod policy thrust and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. Onyeka made this statement during a media lunch with Maritime Journalists at the port’s headquarters in Lagos.
Comptroller Onyeka, reiterated that, “The essence of the indigenous technology platform is to correct some of the lacuna in Nigeria integrated Customs information system (NICIS), which was absolutely controlled by the foreigners.”
The Area Controller emphasized that the B’Odogwu system will streamline customs clearance procedures, ensuring swift container release. He noted that, upon assuming office six months prior, he identified issues hindering trade facilitation, such as multiple alerts and unnecessary stops of cleared containers. However, he proudly announced that the multiple alert issue has been resolved at Tincan Island Port.
Comptroller Onyeka praised the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his visionary leadership and innovative approach, attributing the Nigeria Customs Service’s significant successes to his style. These successes include improved revenue generation, enhanced trade facilitation, effective anti-smuggling efforts, and better stakeholder engagement.
Reacting on role of the media to ensure a smooth operations, Comptroller Onyeka, posited,
“I am here today not to target the media but to celebrate you. Your reportage, your thought-provoking headlines, and your engagements have helped shape our actions and successes.
Many of the reforms and issues we addressed stemmed directly from your feedback. ”
He continued, “on B’Odogwu, it was a local response to the deficiences of the (NICIS) and was conceived, developed, and managed entirely by Nigerian Customs ICT professionals without foreign interference. ”
His words: “B-Odogwu is our pride. It is a Customs-created solution meant to drive trade consultations and ensure seamless clearance processes. We’re addressing issues before they even arise. It’s not perfect, but we’ve solved over 90% of the problems we inherited. ”
For clearer understanding of B’Odogwu, the project Manager of the indigenous platform, Assistant Comptroller,Abass Oyindamola, who was part of the event, reiterated that the new platform would ensure real-time solutions to trade-related problems even as he asserted that it would also help in reducing delays that lead to demurrage.
He opined, “The narrative that every delay at the port is caused by Customs is no longer tenable. B-Odogwu enables faster processing, transparency, and accountability. Our ICT unit is fully involved, and our officers have embraced this digital transformation. ”
Commenting on the event, a foremost, Maritime Journalist and a veteran, Elder Asu Beks who spoke on behalf of other journalists, described Comptroller Onyeka as a “Digital CAC”, lauding him for providing such an opportunity to merry with the journalists, saying the event was unprecedented and historic worthy of emulation.
He commended his open-door policy and inclusiveness among his officers and men, sister agencies, maritime stakeholders and more especially the media.
Asu Beks reiterated, “This is a CAC that listens, acts, and leads with empathy. He brings stakeholders together and makes collaboration a core of his strategy. I have covered this beat for years and I’ve never seen anything like this. ”
The event was attended by Martime publishers, correspondents, media executives, stakeholders and some officers and men of the Tincan Island Customs Area Command.
About The Author
