…Promises to surpass 2017 records
The Tincan Island Ports Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a shortfall of twenty- two billion, six hundred and fourteen million, four hundred and thirty-four thousand, three hundred and twenty-three naira, thirty six kobo (N22,614,434,323.36) from the expected revenue target of three hundred and ten billion, two hundred and forty-seven million, three hundred and forty-six thousand, nine hundred and ninety naira, eighty-five kobo (N310,247,346,990.85) set for it in 2017.
According to the release issued in Lagos on Tuesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, the command raked in a total of two hundred and eighty- seven billion, six hundred and thirty-two million, nine hundred and twelve thousand, six hundred and sixty seven naira forty nine kobo (N287, 632,912,667.49) representing 92.71% of the revenue target for the command in the year under review.
According to Ejesieme,” In line with its statutory mandate of revenue collection, the command made a clear distinction between revenue collection and generation, which was why a greater emphasis was placed on the later as veritable mechanism for achieving the former. During the period under review, several documented infractions were noticed in the course of cargo profiling/selectivity, which necessitated review of such documentations. This process eventually led to the recovery of revenue which could have been lost as a result of deliberate non-compliance.
“Generally speaking, the command had a revenue target of three hundred and ten billion, two hundred and forty-seven million, three hundred and forty-six thousand, nine hundred and ninety naira, eighty-five kobo (N310,247,346,990.85) with a total collection/generation of two hundred and eighty- seven billion, six hundred and thirty-two million, nine hundred and twelve thousand, six hundred and sixty seven naira forty nine kobo (N287,632,912,667,49) and a difference of twenty- two billion, six hundred and fourteen million, four hundred and thirty-four thousand, three hundred and twenty-three naira, thirty six kobo (N22,614,434,323.36) which translates to 92.71%”.
He noted that the command on three occasions recorded a total seizure of 2,010 (two thousand and ten) Pump Action Riffles during the period under reference as a result of which the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) was at the command on those three occasions with some members of his management to address the media.
He further recalled that a total of five (5) officers of the command who demonstrated uncommon diligence in detection of arms in the command were rewarded with special promotions to the next rank as an incentive for better functionality. He gave the details of the officers as follows; 42988 A/C S. CHIROMA, 50201 ASC I E. E. AMAKU, 49271 ASC I B. T. AWUA, 55267 ASC I B. BABAGANA and 46648 CA/I M. LAWAL.
The command’s spokesman stated that the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Yusuf Bashar embarked on a construction of an ICT Training Centre, with a thirty (30) workstations fully connected, to serve the training needs of officers and men as well as other critical stakeholders adding that the training facility had been used to train over nine hundred and fifty-eight (958) officers and stakeholders in areas relevant to their operations.
He continued,” In the same vein, a State of the Art clinic was constructed to take care of the medical needs of both officers and other publics. The clinic is fully equipped with male and female wards with a mini pharmacy. These facilities were eventually commissioned by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), who eulogized the Customs Area Controller for demonstrating exceptional leadership quality”.
Ejesieme pointed out that in the spirit of inter-agency cooperation, the command handed over ten (10) 40ft containers of both substandard, fake/regulated pharmaceuticals to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) respectively at different times during the period under review.
He further disclosed that the command played host to the following; House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Massive Deforestation and Corruption led by its Chairman, Hon. Bede Eke on 23rd January, 2017, former ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’ ACG ABUEH, M. N (MNi) on familiarization tour to Tincan on 2nd February, 2017, House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on uneasy congestion of Ports led by its Chairman, Rt. Hon. John Dyesh on 27th February, 2017.
Others are; Visit of the CGC Nigeria Customs Service Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) to the command on 11th September, 2017, visit of the Commissioner of Police (Western Ports Apapa), CP. Celestine Okoye to the CAC on 13th September, 2017, visit of the ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’ ACG Dahiru, A. M to the Command on 29th November, 2017 and visit of Federation Accounts Allocation Committee to the command headed by Mr. Cashmir Anyanwu P.hd (Federal Commissioner) on the 5th December, 2017.
On future projects by the command, the PRO informed that the command would seek to create proactive measures leveraging on its comparative advantage in the application of ICT for best practices saying that the command was optimistic that the recent deployment of NICIS II platform, would further enhance its capacity in the area of revenue collection, and in ensuring extracting the commitment of officers and men, promoting transparency, integrity and professionalism.
While appreciating the role played by compliant traders who he said had consistently remained dependable allies through adherence to due diligence, sister agencies and other players in the maritime industry who had demonstrated tenacity of the purpose in subjecting to the change ideology of the Comptroller General to the extent that they had seamless synergy and collaboration, he however observed that the command still have pockets of issues, particularly with regards to non-compliance by some of the traders.
“As a responsible Command, we implore them to toe the line of sanity in order to assist the command in meeting its demands. In the last two years, the command has developed various modules, have changed the narrative and trajectory of the command. It will be recalled that the command was prominent for notoriety in terms of the operational standards. This propelled a paradigm shift which from all intent and purpose has re-positioned the command in terms of renewed commitment and dedication of officers and men. We are not reneging as we are not oblivious of the enormous expectation from the Nigeria Customs Service Management, more so when the strategic position of the command to national economy and development is considered. We will surely surpass this record in the New Year”, he submitted.
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