By Tony NZEKWE
In line with the redeployment directive of the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, the newly redeployed Customs Area Controller, CAC, Customs Area 1 Command, Port Harcourt, Compt. Mustapha Hashim, has assumed office after a brief handing over ceremony held at the command.
In his remarks, the out going Customs Area Controller, Compt. Cheidi Wada, has said, “The Command had fare considerably well in the Area of Revenue generation, despite some daunting challenges in the Maritime sector.”
He asserted, “From January to 21st October 2023, the Command had been able to generate and collect the total sum of ₦89.574 Billion.
This figure, when compared to the corresponding period of 2022, which stood at ₦72.463 Billion, had a significant difference of ₦10.858 Billion. The difference in this figures represents a 13.8 percent increase in the revenue figure.”
Compt. Wada, reiterated, “During the period under review, the Command had experienced its lowest influx of container cargoes in to the Port, however, the import duties collected from Bulk Cargoes had contributed to the bulk of revenue collected in the Command.”
Adding, “Significant milestones were achieved in the month of March which stood at ₦11.675 Billion, and August which stood at ₦11.834 Billion as against ₦8.310 Billion and ₦9.677 Billion collected in the previous year. The current month of October 2023 had so far collected the sum of ₦11.909 Billion, and I am optimistic that by the end of the month, that figure will raise above other months of 2023.”
However, he posited that, “The feat could not have been achieved without painstakingly engaging with our critical stakeholders through several forms of sensitization programs and other forms of training particularly on issues of Non-conformity with statutory clearance procedures.”
“And the feedback we got can be attributed to some of our successes. The Command also insisted that all unpaid assessment must be paid.”
On value addition through interventions, Compt. Wada, added, “The Command generated over ₦ 1.762 Billion in the period under review. This interventions were derived from Demand Notices (DN) issued to importers with infractions on their importations.”
In the period under review, Compt. Wada, opined, “The Command had organized several capacity building programs for her officers and men through Pep-Talks which tackled sensitive issues such as Import and Export Procedures, Bond on Customs Procedures, NCS Fast Track 2.0, Customs Related Commercial Fraud and the role of Intelligence investigation and Memo writing among others.”
On export trade, the out going CAC, stated, ” The Command had facilitated the exportation of 30,000mt of Charcoal, and 26,000mt of Zinc and Lead through the Ibeto Wharf. And it is strongly believed that with the take-off of the Ibeto Wharf, the Command will sustain a good import and export hub, as well as a sustainable revenue base.”
On Anti-Smuggling activities, he reassured, ” The Command had put more emphasis on 100 percent physical examination policy of the service, and as a result, some containers suspected to have falsely declared had been placed under detention, pending further investigation.”
However, he warned all stakeholders and any would be smuggler to avoid Area 1 Command because their containers will be seized and culprits will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the extant law.
On robust synergy with sister security agencies, Compt. Wada, said, ” We embarked on a working tour to our Bayelsa and Ahoada Out-Stations to appraise the Customs activities in those areas. The visit to Bayelsa State also afforded us the opportunities to pay courtesy visits to the heads of other Government Security agencies. The purpose of this visit was to seek further collaboration and synergy with them in order to foster a better working relationship and to achieve National interest in line with the extant guidelines.”
In his remarks, the newly redeployed Customs Area Controller, CAC, Compt. Mustapha Hashim, said, “I appreciate your reception accorded me and am back to a familiar terrain. And now am the chief executive in charge of the command there’s more to achieve and facilitate in line with my mandate.”
He added, “Most stakeholders don’t know more about me, however, am back to generate more revenue, create for synergies, suppress smuggling and enhance seamless trade facilitation in line with international standards.”
“Am informed some bonded terminals are on the verge of leaving the Command; I need to have meeting with them aimed to identify, handle and find lasting solutions that will not undermine fiscal policies of the federal government of the government rather create robust synergies .”
