…As Comptroller Abba-Kura takes over command
The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collected a total of sixty billion, one hundred and nine million, two hundred and forty-seven thousand, four hundred and forty-four Naira, one Kobo (N60, 109, 247, 444.1) between January and February, 2019.
Former Customs Area Controller of the command, now acting Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Bashir Abubakar disclosed this during the handing over ceremony and valedictory press briefing at the command in Apapa, Lagos on Monday.
He noted the commendable collection was achieved by the command even with the lull in business activities due to high expectation on the 2019 general elections.
Abubakar said that although the annual revenue target for the 2019 fiscal year was yet to be officially conveyed to the command, the 2018 annual revenue target was four hundred and twenty-six billion, one hundred and ninety-two million, eight hundred and twenty-seven thousand, eight hundred and nineteen Naira, forty-six Kobo (N426, 192, 827, 819.46) which he said translated to a monthly target of thirty-five billion, five hundred and sixteen million, sixty-eight thousand, nine hundred and eighty-four Naira, ninety-five Kobo (N35, 516, 068, 984.95).
He noted that in enforcing compliance, the command between January1st to March 14th, 2019 seized twenty-four (24) containers of Tomato Paste and Vegetable Oil with a duty Paid Value (DPV) of two hundred million, eight hundred and sixty-seven thousand, one hundred and twenty-four Naira (N200, 867, 124.00).
The acting ACG added that the Export Seat in the command had also built an increased level of compliance in documentation saying that within the period under review, the seat recorded exports with Free On Board (FOB) value of seven hundred and sixty-five million, three hundred thousand and seven hundred Naira (N765, 300, 700.00).
While introducing his successor to the press, acting ACG Bashir Abubakar said, “Let me introduce to you another Controller who is also known for his professionalism and leadership prowess, transferred to take over from where I stopped. He is Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura who before now was the Comptroller in charge of Post Clearance audit (PCA), Zone A, Lagos. I urge you to hive him all the support and collaboration he needs to keep the Apapa Area command in her position as a lead and pilot command known for excellence”.
While describing the officers of the Apapa Area command as the best team ever, he pleaded with them to put into practice all their resolutions and build on the successes already achieved in the command.
“To our esteemed stakeholders, I appeal for willful compliance to all extant laws guiding the import/export process. Doing that will guarantee a seamless clearance process and timely release of cargo in line with the ease of doing business mandate of the federal government.
“To our media friends, I appreciate all your efforts at identifying with our activities/ programmes and I pray that you continue to be objective and professional in your reportage. I cannot finish this briefing without thanking the management of the Nigeria Customs Service under the able leadership of Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.)”, he said.
On his part, the new Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Customs command, Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura observed that ACG Abubakar’s elevation to his new office did not come to him as a surprise as he had paid his dues and worked very hard.
Abba-Kura reiterated that by this elevation, the newly promoted ACG would automatically become a member of customs management even as he posited that the customs management was lucky to have gotten a fine officer who was very versatile even as he stated that with ACG Abubakar on the management, the quality of deliberation and interaction in the management was going to change.
While thanking God for the opportunity to succeed ACG Abubakar, he however assured that he was going to build on the foundation already laid by the former controller even as he called the officers of the command to gear up for more jobs.
“We are going to do anything possible to make the area progress. Stakeholders are equally part of us and I am going to continue with the monthly meeting and any information that comes that is going to help us in discharging our function, we will welcome it when it comes in.
“For the media, some of you have been my friends, the friendship will continue but please I want one thing from you, if you hear anything from this command, please before you go to press, make sure you confirm so that there will be no question of saying I was misquoted or whatever and you can feel free to approach my office. My number has not changed and I don’t intend to change it except it is compulsory. So, you can reach me any time”, he stated.
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