Comptroller Oshoba Assures Lawmakers of Firm Safety Measures at Apapa Port
Author: Lucy Nyambi.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, on Tuesday received members of the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, led by its Chairman, Hon. David Zacharias, as part of their ongoing oversight function to assess safety compliance across key national agencies.
Speaking during the visit, Honourable Zacharias said the exercise was in line with the committee’s mandate to evaluate safety practices and regulatory adherence in government institutions.
“The safety of Nigeria is our responsibility. Nobody will do it for us. We have seen that the Nigeria Customs Service also has a mandate tied to the safety of Nigerians. This means we share a common understanding and must work together as a team”, he stated.
In his response, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, expressed appreciation for the committee’s visit and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to safety enforcement and national security.
He emphasised that the Command remains resolute in enforcing trade laws and intercepting substandard or prohibited items at the nation’s entry points.
“We have records of seizures of such items, and we ensure they do not find their way into the Nigerian market. Within Apapa Command, we do not allow any consignment that poses harm to society or national security. We are firm on that”, Comptroller Oshoba said.
He further assured the lawmakers that the Service would continue to work collaboratively with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and other relevant agencies to strengthen monitoring mechanisms against substandard imports.
The committee members were taken on a guided tour of operational facilities, including the scanning site, and other key safety areas, to observe compliance measures in place.
