…Blocks illegal arms, fake drugs syndicates
The Tincan Island Port command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has collected a total of two hundred and thirty-seven billion, two hundred and sixty-five million, five hundred and thirty-eight thousand, five hundred and sixty-seven Naira, eighty-eight Kobo (N237,265,538,567.88) between January and October 2017.
The figure is against the sum of two hundred and seven billion, nine hundred and thirty-four million, seven hundred and four thousand, nine hundred and six Naira, twenty-three Kobo (N207,934,704,906.23) in the corresponding period of 2016.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Yusuf Bashar, while reminiscing on the giant strides of the command, emphasized that the command had been repositioned for greater functionality.
The Controller pointed out that the command have developed operational templates which were carefully articulated to encompass adherence to due diligence on the part of the stakeholders and entrenchment of professionalism and integrity on the psyche of the officers.
He also pointed out that the command relied mostly on capacity building, training and re-training to extract reasonable level of professional integrity from the officers which ultimately led to the increase in revenue collection.
“ You will recall that the command alone have recorded three different seizures of cache of arms and have recently seized two containers load of suspected controlled drugs (Tramadol) falsely declared as used vehicle and computer accessories”, he recalled.
The controller stressed that the command had undoubtedly diminished the capacity of such unpatriotic importers through several measures aimed at nipping such issues in the bud even as he declared that seizures were made through high profile intelligence using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a major tool.
“Our new strategic focus has strengthen not only statutory responsibility of revenue collection but also safety of lives by decimating the tendency of unscrupulous importers who bring in unwholesome drugs, particularly Tramadol which consumption would naturally have a consequential effect on our large population of youth, thereby ultimately affecting their educational pursuits and socio-economic well-being amongst other negative effects.
“Just recently our president was in Turkey with the Comptroller General of Customs alongside other top government functionaries on a diplomatic visit and the issue of arms were discussed after which a memorandum of understanding was signed with a view to ensure that such illicit imports are curtailed, he said.
Speaking further, the Controller applauded the improved compliant of the stakeholders and urged them to maintain the path.
On his plans for the ember months, Comptroller Bashar re-assured that no stone would be left unturned in his efforts to ensure a sustained increase in revenue collection and facilitation of legitimate trade.
He therefore expressed appreciation for the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his Management and promised to re-double his efforts at this time of the year when business activities were expected to be on the increase.
Similarly, the Controller showered encomiums on the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) and his managements for the promotion of five officers in Tincan Port found worthy in the recent arms seizures, noting that it would spur others to greater efficiency.
“It is instructive to note that the Nigeria Customs Service is putting measures in place to curb the influx of arms which is why the Service recently unveiled plans to introduce the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme, a platform that will enhance the streamlining of cargo clearance”, he stated.
He stated that AEO was a programme introduced by the World Customs Organization to facilitate trade with security situation associated with the import and export businesses across international borders.
The Controller stated that the command had leveraged on the change ideology of the CGC by ensuring that all loopholes for revenue leakages were blocked, while also applying sanctions for false and under declarations.
He reiterated his position on compliant declarants and promised that every reasonable support would be extended to such category of traders by way of expeditious access to cargo clearance in line with global best practices.
“We will continue to re-jig and re-strategize to ensure that we remain on top of our statutory functions with a view to ensuring that the confidence reposed on us by the CGC and the Customs Management is not taken for granted”, he added.
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