During his ongoing official visit to Area Commands in Zone A’, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, accompanied by his team, commenced the day on Tuesday, 18th July, 2023, by inspecting the Customs Security Patrol vessels, known as ‘The Group of 9’ and ‘Customs Pride.’
The vessels were acquired in 2015 and have a seating capacity of 26. After the vessel inspection, the entourage proceeded to the jetties en route Apapa.
The first destination on his itinerary was the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command. During this visit, he reminded the Officers about the important mandates of the Customs Service and encouraged them to overcome any challenges they face to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.
According to him, “The nature of our operation is the same. It is tied towards three functions of generating revenue, enforcing control and facilitating trade.
“Customs plays a very strategic role in economic development and growth of any Country, so the charge is for us to accept to render adequate service delivery for economic development of the Nation.”
In acknowledging the challenges faced by the Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, the Customs Area Controller, emphasized the pressing necessity for a suitable office space capable of accommodating all Command officers.
“This whole Office complex is not owned by the Nigeria Customs Service, it is actually owned by NPA and we are forced to manage with what we have been given”, he explained.
“It is inadequate and we are in the process of requesting space which I will escalate to the Headquarters so that Nigeria Customs Service will have a befitting office for KLT Command that can accommodate all our Officers”, he emphasised.
In reply, the Acting Chief Government Coordinator (Ag. CGC) acknowledged the necessity for expansion and emphasized the significance of welfare.
“I must admit that we need a bigger space to operate and we are going to make it a priority”, he said.
“Our welfare is important. We will be working with management to ensure that our welfare takes care of our welfare, not just for those in service but also our dependants and our families”.
Afterward, the train journeyed to the Western Marine Command, Ports & Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Command, and Tin-can Island Command.
The Customs Boss emphasized the importance of officers rededicating themselves to conducting thorough physical examinations of goods. He, also, urged them to adopt a positive and diligent attitude towards their work duties.
“You should challenge yourselves with a little bit more commitment and patriotism, rededicate your efforts towards physical examination of goods and put up an attitude that is business friendly to positive revenue generation”. He said.
He gave his word that the welfare programs would be diligently executed.
“All the welfare programmes that have been put in place are going to be implemented. We have improved the life insurance scheme for all our officers”, he noted.
“There is a Group Accident Insurance, also fully paid off and you are guaranteed 300% percent of your salary. We don’t pray it happens, but if it does happen, there is that guarantee that your family will not go begging”, he disclosed.
The Customs Boss took the chance to address the licensed agents’ grievances as well.