COMPTR. MOHAMMED RECEIVES AG.ACG OKUN, CALLS FOR SYNERGY

By Blaise Elumezie

Officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service, Area 1 Command, PortHarcourt, Rivers State, has been urged to continue to discharge their duties in good fate, and with the assurance that their welfare was already in the mind of NCS Board.

They were further enjoined to keep with the mandate of NCS in the areas of: revenue collection through adequate collaboration with the CAC and stakeholders, anti-smuggling, through boarder protection, security and sensitization of officers to be vigilant, as eleçtion period is fast approaching.

In terms of integrity and discipline: the officers were urged to ensure punctuality, deligence, transparency, as well as knowledge of the CEMA, Fiscal Policy and the Seven C’s of the Customs.

While the CAC, Comptroller IA Mohammed, was lauded for the good parade, which was as a result of good leadership structure and exemplary conduct; according to Ag. ACG FO Okun, who conveyed the aforementioned goodwill message of CGC Hameed Ali Ibrahim to the officers, at the beginning of his (ACG Okun) visit to Area 1 Port Command.

In his personal address as the Acting Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Customs Service Zone ‘C’ Headquarters, PortHarcourt, Rivers State, ACG FO Okun, called for adequate support from Area 1 Command to the zone, while disclosing his areas of interest as he resumes office to include: security, revenue collection and accounting for same, relationship with stakeholders and to curb smuggling through examination.

Ag. ACG Okun in the meantime, spoke on the need for proper mentorship, training course , empowerment of officers and men, stakeholders management and the importance in enhancing on the Ease of Revenue Collection, among others.

Presenting his address, CAC of Area 1 Command, Comptr. IA Mohammed, informed Ag. ACG FO Okun of the command’s revenue increase from N7 billion to N9.6 billion every month and thanked management for the improved staff welfare, through the ongoing construction projects at verious NCS Barracks within the zone.

On the challenges of the command port, Comptr. Mohammed attributed the lack of imports at the port, on lack of adequate infrastructural development at the port mostly, delayed turnaround time on imports, delayed birthing time schedule and higher freight cost, when compared to Onne, as well as low cargo turnout at the airport.

Responding, the command’s OC Enforcement, DC AS Ibrahim, emphasised on the need for deployment of more junior officers to the zone, to assist in proper monitoring of private jetties within the zone, while KO Bello in the same vein, spoke on the need for adequate infrastructure at the command clinic, for staff wellbeing, and putting the zonal mobile clinic to use, for officers checkups, and for use in community relations with host communities, among others.

At Ibeto Group site, during the terminal tour of Ag. ACG Okun; Comptr. IA Mohammed, said that the essence of the visit was to seek for synergy with the management of Ibeto Group/Max Shipping Agency Limited, for an improved revenue generation of the command, while Chief Kingsley Kalio, the Personnel Manager of Ibeto Group, who took the officers round the site, alongside his Executive Director, appealed for the final approval of its jetty, for operations by NCS.

He noted that the Customs’ office at the jetty was ready for operations, while affirming that the internal and connecting roads at the jetty would be ready in a month’s time.

Highlights at the visit include: inspection of Quarter Guards, review of parade and address to officers, visit to terminals at the wharf and Inspection of construction projects at Dockyard, anong, others.