By Ajibola Adedoye
An unprecedented record has been set in the history of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area 2 Command, Onne as over by generating over Twenty-Two Billion Naira in a single day.
Out-going Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Baba Imam made this revelation on Friday April 19, 2024, during the handing and taking over ceremony in Rivers State.
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He also said: “In the first three months of year 2024 the Command generated over 162 Billion Naira which is more than the revenue generated from January to July (Seven months) in year 2023”.
Comptroller Imam emphasised that Officers and Men of the Command have been trained with the view to bringing attitudinal change to enhance trade facilitation in the Command.
While recounting some of the achievements made during his 15 months stay as the Area Controller which include construction of a 110 seating capacity Conference Room with modern facilities, creation of a Computer training centre with 50 computers to enhance capacity building related workshops and training in the Command.
He said both facilities were open for use by both Customs Officers and Stakeholders who needs them.
He continued that Officers could not have made significant impact in trade facilitation if their homes were in disarray, hence he appreciated his wife who was the Chairperson, Customs Officers Wives Association, Onne Chapter and said in order to appreciate COWA for all they do, the Command was able to establish a COWA Office within the Customs House, refurbish a canteen in the Office and two additional canteens in the Customs Barracks.
In his farewell address, Comptr. Imam appreciated the Controller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for the opportunity to serve as the Customs Area Controller of the Command.
He extended same appreciation to all Security Agencies and Stakeholders and attributed the successes recorded in the Command to the improved synergy, intelligence sharing and cooperation he enjoyed while working with them.
Speaking further the Controller stated that in revenue.
The In-coming Area Controller Comptroller Mohammed Babandede however promised to sustain the cordial relationship already established in the Command with a view to improving the synergy and that he will equally operate an open door policy.
He said “I will operate an open door policy just like the Out-going Area Controller and I implore all Officers and Men in the Command to give me their support as they continue their good work. This will help improve on the successes recorded with the aim to enhance revenue generation, value addition and suppression of smuggling”.
The atmosphere was clouded with mixed feelings of joy and sadness as both Officers, Stakeholders and invited guest poured out their goodwill messages to the Out-going and In-coming Area Controllers.
Speaking on behalf of all the Security Agencies within the Port environment, the Commandant Nigeria Navy Basic Training School, Commodore GJ Kashim said the Out-going Controller has instilled and improved synergy among the Security agencies which he commended and prayed for more success for him in his next duty post.
He also employed the In-coming Controller to maintain the cordial relationship already established by his predecessor.
Mr Jim Steward, Managing Director Onne Multipurpose Terminal, who spoke on behalf of the Container Terminals situated within the Port, opined that Comptroller Imam has made Container Terminal activities seamless with his intervention in reducing most of the bottlenecks they experienced in the Cargo clearing process.
In his remark, Mr Kingsley Offor who spoke on behalf of the Managing Directors of Bonded terminals operating within the Area 2 Command commended the Out-going Controller on trade facilitation within the port.
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