The National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Wale Adeniyi has said that the recent visiti by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd.) to the Ports and Terminals Multi-services Limited (PTML) and the Five Star Logistics Limited terminals in Lagos was part of an operation meant to streamline clearance, facilitate trade and increase revenue.
Adeniyi who disclosed this in a chat with Primetime Reporters on Friday said that the CGC had consultations with the terminal operators and customs officers adding that the ultimate objective of the visit was to improve operations in the terminals he visited.
According to him,” The issue he came to address was about clearance of vehicles at Tincan and PTML. He needs to standardize the operations, he needs to put standard procedure and we found it necessary to consult with terminal operators, we consulted with the officers. We held meeting separately and we held meeting together under one roof and discussion still continuing”.
He admitted that the Military background of the CGC had impacted positively in the service especially in the area of punctuality noting that those traditions he learnt in the Military had helped him in piloting the affairs of the service as he wants to be focused at all time.
“He has a business approach to them, so, these are pluses for him. Of course, there could be some negative advantages especially from the perspective of those who think that his Military background is weighing him down. But we have seen some positive ones, some positive values and we are celebrating them. One of it is that if he gives you an appointment for 12.O’clock, at 12.O’clock, he is there and if it is for business, if he says he will meet with you for one hour, for one hour he will meet with you and make sure that issues are sorted out. Yes, there are disadvantages but people are entitled to their opinion”, he said.
When asked to approach the effect of his background to the service in terms of full knowledge of customs operations, formalities and procedures, he stated,” I have given you my part, I said there are positive values that I have seen, his discipline, he brings discipline to the job, he is very time conscious, we need to be time conscious in the sector. We can’t afford to say we are going to do something at 5 and then people begin to come in there at 5.30 or 6. These are some of the positive things I see him bring”.
Asked if he thinks there was any need for change as to bring in a properly groomed customs officer at the customs helm of affairs, the customs spokesman replied,” Please, redirect this to the person who appoints Comptroller-General, the PRO does not appoint Comptroller-General”.
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