By Tony Nzekwe
In bid to adhere to the fiscal policies of government and enhancement of revenue generation to the federal coffers, the Acting Zonal Coordinator, Customs Zone C, Headquarters port Harcourt, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) Festous Okun, has charged all officers and men of the zone and the Area 1,customs command Port Harcourt to always adhere strictly to the three point agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd).
ACG Okun gave the charge last week during the familiarization tour of the Customs Area 1 Command Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
ACG Okun who replaced the recently retired ACG kayode Olusemire stated that the officers and men of the command must cooperate with the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller MI Mohammed and other stakeholders to ensure a seamless revenue collection.
ACG asserted, “The core mandate of the Nigeria Customs service; anti smuggling war and generate more revenue, must be sustained through border protection,security and the need for the officers to be vigilant especially as the elections are drawing near. Adding, “The 100 percent physical examination of goods must not be compromised. officers and men of the command must uphold integrity, discipline, punctuality,diligence, transparency through the knowledge of CEMA.”
The ACG reiterated, ” Officers and men should be conversant with the fiscal policy and the Seven Cs of the Nigeria Customs service.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Customs Area1 Controller, Comptroller I A Mohammed has informed the Ag, (ACG) Okun of the improved revenue collection in his Command which he put at N9.6 Billion Naira per month as against the former N7 Billion naira.
However, Compt Ahmed Mohammed, appreciated the Customs management for improved welfare packages through the ongoing projects in all Customs barracks under his watch.
Comptroller Mohammed frowned at the various challenges militating against his operations at the command which include lack of adequate infrastructure at the Port Harcourt Port, delayed turnaround on imports,delayed birthing time schedule and higher freight cost when compared to Onne and low cargoes turnout at the Port among others.
Areas visited during the familiarization tour include,CPC,PCA, Clinic, Enforcement Unit,Scanning site,BUA Terminals,PTOL Terminals,Dockyard and Ibeto Terminals.
However,at Ibeto Terminals, now managed by MAX shipping Services,the personnel manager chief Kingsley Kalio who represented the Chairman has solicited for the assistance of the Ag,(ACG) Okun for the take -off of the Terminals.
Kalio assured that everything was ready and waiting for full approval by the government even as he promised that all internal roads linking the jetty would be completed in a month’s time.
