TINCAN CUSTOMS SCORE CARD …Rakes in N287.6bn …Achieves 92.71 % revenue collection …Seizes 2010 pump action rifles

TINCAN CUSTOMS SCORE CARD

.Rakes in N287.6bn

.Achieves 92.71 % revenue collection

 .Seizes 2010 pump action rifles

Udeme Clement & Silas Ouoha

HUGE REVENUE GENERATION

In line with the policy of the Federal Government to enhance maximum revenue generation, to rejuvenate the economy, the Tincan Island Port Command has raked in N287.6billion in 2017 fiscal year.

The Public Relations Officer, PRO, of Tincan, Uche Ejesieme, disclosed this to Financial Business & Maritime News. He emphasized that the Command through the hard work of Comptroller Bashar Yusuf, as the Customs Area Controller, CAC, recorded 92.71percent revenue collection in 2017.

His explanation, “The Command had a revenue target of N310.2billion, with a total collection/generation of N287.6billion and a difference of N22.6billion, which translates to 92.71 percent”.

SPECTACULAR SEIZURES

 According to Ejesieme,  “Sequel to the re-positioning of Tincan Command, the CAC Instituted several reforms in administrative and operational value chain, which resulted in remarkable seizures.  Part of the strategies was on due diligence, professionalism in documentations and cargo examination.  The outcome was seizures of 2010 Pump Action Rifles recorded by Tincan Command during the period under reference. With those seizures, the Comptroller General of Customs ,CGC,  Hameed Ibrahim Ali was at the Command, on those three occasions with members of his management to address the media”.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS

 He went on, “A total of five officers of the Command who demonstrated uncommon diligence through detection of arms were rewarded with special promotions to the next rank, as incentive for better functionality. The officers include 42988   A/C  S. CHIROMA, 50201      ASC I       E. E. AMAKU,

49271     ASC I       B. T. AWUA, 55267        ASC I       B. BABAGANA and 46648     CA/I         M. LAWAL”.

 SPECIAL PROJECTS

“He enthused, “Since the Command sees capacity building  as a critical element in 21^st Century Customs operations, the CAC embarked on construction of an ICT training centre, with 30 work-stations fully connected, to serve the training needs of officers as well as other critical stakeholders.  The training facility has been used to train over 958 officers and stakeholders in areas relevant to their operations.  Also, a State-of-the-Art clinic was constructed to take care of the medical needs of officers.  The clinic is fully equipped with male and female wards and a mini pharmacy.    These facilities were eventually commissioned by CGC Ali, who commended the CAC for demonstrating exceptional leadership quality”.

STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT

“He pointed out, “The Command during the period under review strengthened its relationship with other agencies of government both within and outside the Port.  The CAC strongly believes that mutual understanding for peaceful co-existence is key in actualisation of our mandate.  Also, of note is the importance, which the World Customs Organisation ,WCO, attaches to stakeholders engagement.  This, we demonstrated through handing over of seized regulated consignments to appropriate agencies for further investigation.  Specifically, we handed over 10, 40ft containers of both fake and substandard pharmaceutical products to National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control ,NAFDAC,  and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ,NDLEA, at different times during the period under review”.

IMPORTANT VISITS

He added, “The committees that visited the Command include House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on massive deforestation and corruption led by its chairperson Hon. BEDE EKE on  January 23, 2017, former ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’ ACG ABUEH, M. N, on familiarisation tour to Tincan on February 2, 2017,

House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on uneasy congestion of Ports, led by its chairperson  JOHN DYESH on 2 February 27 2017,   CGC Ali,  on  September 11, 2017,

the Commissioner of Police (Western Ports Apapa) CP. Celestine Okoye to the CAC on September 13, 2017,  ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’ ACG Dahiru, A. M  on November 29, 2017 and the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, headed by Mr. Cashmir Anyanwu, on the  December 5, 2017.”

 PROJECTION FOR FUTURE

His words, “Our operational template is projected to align with the change ideology of CGC Ali and his Management team, as we continue to map out new operational strategies, in order to consolidate on achievements already recorded from 2015 to 2017.

The Command will create proactive measures to leverage on our comparative advantage in ICT applications for best practices.  The Command is optimistic that the recent deployment of NICIS II platform, will further enhance our capacity in revenue collection, ensuring  commitment of officers, promoting transparency, integrity and professionalism”.

“The Command appreciates the role of traders who complied with the laws and remained dependable allies through adherence to due diligence. It will be recalled that the Command was prominent for its operational standards throughout the year.  We will surely surpass this record in 2018.”