By Olubunmi Isokpehi
The newly redeployed Customs Area Controller, CAC, Ports and Terminal Multipurpose Services Limited, Comptroller Suleiman Bomai, has reassured all port users and critical stakeholders at the Ports and Terminal Multipurpose Services Limited(PTML) of regular facilitation of legitimate trade, constant dialogue and prompt dispute resolution.
The CAC made this assertion at the maiden meeting with sister government agencies, private sector operators including freight forwarders and representative of Grimaldi, the terminal operator.
Compt. Bomai urged importers and their agents to embrace voluntary compliance. His words: “The newly introduced fast track 2.0 being put in place by the management of Nigeria Customs Service will assist compliant businesses to grow and in the long run build a robust economy.”
Compt Bomai added, “Such innovations would help manufactierers take delivery of their imported raw materials from the ports to their factories ahead of duty payment and other clearing formalities.”
However, the CAC commended Grimaldi for it’s high level security and safety of the PTML terminal, adding, “Licensed customs agents and freight forwarders as great contributors to government coffers at a time attention is high on none oil sources of revenue.”
Comptroller Bomai described sister government agencies as strategic partners in progress and identified members of the business community using PTML Port as strategic stakeholders that deserve to be treated with utmost dignity.
His words:. “Stakeholder meetings with our strategic partners and stakeholders are now part of our responsibility as mandated by the Customs headquarters and by the CGC.”
Compt Bomai asserted, “The strategic stakeholders are the Customs agents and others that are involved in the supply chain and the strategic partners are the government agencies that are teaming up with us in the supply chain which is very critical for us if we want to move this country forward.”
The erudite Customs CAC, opined, “The Nigeria Customs Service prides itself as one of the most automated agencies in Nigeria today and while we cannot claim to be 100% automated, we are at least 70%. And the hallmark of the service is modernization.”
He reiterated, “The process of research and development, producing innovations and products that we can sell and our stakeholders can buy. This Interaction is therefore very necessary to get useful feedbacks.”
Adding,. “It is part of our duty to sensitize them, and through that one, you can rest assured that there will be a positive impact on the economy, revenue and society itself, and people will get to understand and know the NCS better.”
Speaking further, the CAC, posited, “Strategic stakeholders’ and partners’ engagement has become part of our responsibility as mandated by the CGC, and we should ensure that we engage them monthly in this process.”
Compt Bomai reassured, “We want to drive the process forward for a positive impact on the Nigerian economy. This is the message from the Nigeria Customs Service and we will keep on doing our best.”
However, he emphasised, “Honesty and justice are the hallmarks of the NCS commitment in the discharge of our duties, as well as patriotism to the country and trust are things we don’t joke with. We will not let down the trust of 200 million Nigerians that has been bestowed on us.”
