By Tony Nzekwe
The Customs Zone C, Zonal Coordinator, Assist Comptroller General (ACG) Sambo Dangladima
Monday visited the Customs Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Port Harcourt Rivers State as part of his working visit to Zone C, commands.
The visit comes on the heels of his scheduled visitation of all the Customs commands in Zone C for first-hand information of the happenings at the various commands.
In his remarks at Eastern Marine command, ACG Dangladima charged the officers and men of the Eastern Marine Command( EMC) on the importance of discipline even as he promised to make a representation to the Comptroller General of Customs for the construction of a befitting office for the Eastern Marine Command.
He asserted, “Discipline is gradually reducing among the officers and men and I wonder why it should be so.”
In veiw of the backdrop, the ACG added, “A directive has been given to the Customs police to ensure discipline is maintained among the officers and men and any officer found wanting would be treated according to the lay down rules of the Nigeria Customs Service.”
Speaking on the recently concluded examinations for promotion,the Zone C customs boss, said, “The Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, is not sentimental in the promotion exercise.”
His words: “All of us were there marking the scripts shared to us under the supervision of the CGC,we don’t know the owners of the scripts we are marking and so
Any score you get,is a reflection of what you wrote.”
He stressed that officers should not worry as promotion is not a do or die affair.
Adding, “Promotion must surely come one day,promotion comes from God”
Speaking on the importance of training, Dangladima said the CGC has made it mandatory for officers and men to always embark on self development.
He reiterated, ” Either you go for junior officers Course or Senior officers Course. And going forward such would be one of the criteria for your promotion. ”
On health issue he advised that regular health check-up should be mandatory for officers and men while also reiterating the essence of always being in constant contact with one’s family.
Applauding the Eastern Marine Command, EMC, the ACG Dangladima, posited, “Compt DIM is a team player who is among the new breed of Customs officers who will always make a mark anywhere you find them like the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR whom has distinguished himself as a thorough breed Officer who knows everything about Customs having worked with some retired Comptroller Generals of Customs.”
Dangladima also used the opportunity to once more congratulate the CGC, on his emergence as the Chairman of Council, World Customs Organisation (WCO)
ACG Dangladima however ,praised the level of collaboration and synergy between the Customs Eastern Marine Command and other sister agencies especially the Nigeria Navy
On the issue of office accommodation, Dangladima said, “I will make a presentation to the Comptroller General of Customs and his management team to work out modalities for the Eastern Marine Command to get its own office.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Customs Area Controller Eastern Marine Command ,Compt CC DIM,
has expressed satisfaction with the visit saying such has accorded him and his officers and men the opportunity to interact with ACG Dangladima
He informed ACG Dangladima that his relationship with stakeholders and other sister agencies, most especially the Nigeria Navy, was very cordial, which in turn has earned the Command numerous awards.
On the number of staff at the command,he said one of the challenges at the command is low staffing.
He stated that professional Marine officers are posted to other assignments on staff orders.
Comptroller Dim, opined, “equally brought to the fore is lack of a standard office structure for the EMC and I met with the Rivers state government for the approval of a piece of land for the office.”
However, in his response, the Zonal Coordinator, in his response, charged the CAC to write to the Headquarters and copy him, for a proper follow up, assuring the CAC, that the CGC,being a seasoned officer would not hesitate to intervene.
Other things needed according to the CAC,Dim, include provision of a mini government warehouse at Oron and renovation of some of the dilapidated offices .
On the Successes made so far Comptroller Dim said the Command was able to reconnect the power in their office at Federal Secretariat Port Harcourt, thereby tackling the challenge being faced at the Federal Secretariat complex for years even as he stated that the command is now set to start their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.
Present at the occasion include Comptroller MO Omisore, PCA, Comptroller, Martha Abubakar, Ibeto Customs Area command, Comptroller Bodunde FA, Zonal Administrator, among others.
- High point of the event was the presentation of a complimentary plaque by the Customs Area Comptroller, Comptroller CC Dim to the Assistant Comptroller General SK Dangladima.
