It was indeed, a grand occasion at Area II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday 19th April, 2024, as the Command held a sensational Handing and Taking over Parade in honour of the out-going Customs Area Comptroller, Comptroller Baba Imam and the in-coming Area Comptroller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede.
The Command had in attendance to witness the parade, various commanders, heads of security agencies and stakeholders working in the Port Environment.
Comptroller Baba Imam in his welfare address, appreciated God for his mercy and love, he also appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs BA Adeniyi, for the opportunity to serve as the Customs Area Comptroller of the Command.
He further extended same appreciation to all security agencies and stakeholders, attributing the successes recorded in the Command to the improved synergy, intelligence sharing and cooperation he enjoyed while working with them.
Speaking further, the Comptroller stated that in revenue, the Command set an unprecedented record in the history of the Command and Service by generating in a single day, over 22 Billion Naira.
He disclosed that in the first three months of year 2024, that the Command generated over N162 Billion Naira which was more than the revenue generated from January to July (Seven months) in year 2023.
Comptroller Imam emphasised that Officers and Men of the Command have been trained with the view to bringing attitudinal change to enhance trade facilitation in the Command. He recounted some of the achievements made during his 15 months stay as the Area Comptroller which include: construction of a 110 seating capacity Conference Room with modern facilities, creation of a Computer training centre with 50 computers to enhance capacity building related workshops and training in the Command.
According to him, both facilities were open for use by both Customs Officers and stakeholders who need them.
He opined that officers could not have made significant impact in trade facilitation if their homes were in disarray, hence he appreciated his wife who was the Chairperson, Customs Officers Wives Association, Onne Chapter and said in order to appreciate COWA for all they do, the Command was able to establish a COWA Office within the Customs House, refurbish a canteen in the office and two additional canteens in the Customs Barracks.
Comptr. in the meantime, stated that the Command established two saloons in the barracks, for male and female from which the proceed goes to the association.
The in-coming Area Comptroller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede promised to sustain the cordial relationship already established in the Command with a view to improving on the synergy already put in place by his predecessor.
He used the medium to disclose his readiness tol equally operate an open door policy. He said: “I will operate an open door policy just like theout-going Area Comptroller and I employ all Officers and Men in the Command to give me their support as they continue with their good works. This will help improve on the successes recorded with the aim to enhance revenue generation, value addition and suppression of smuggling.”
The atmosphere was clouded with mixed feelings of joy and sadness as both officers, stakeholders and invited guests poured out their goodwill messages to the out-going and in-coming Area Comptrollers.
Speaking on behalf of all the security agencies within the Port environment, the Commandant Nigeria Navy Basic Training School, Commodore GJ Kashim affirmed that the out-going Comptroller instilled and improved synergy among the security agencies, which he commended and prayed for more success for him in his next duty post.
He also employed the in-coming Comptroller to maintain the cordial relationship already established by his predecessor.
Responding on behalf of the Container Terminals situated within the Port, the Managing Director, Onne Multipurpose Terminal, Mr. Jim Steward maintained that Comptroller Imam made Container Terminal activities seamless with his intervention in reducing most of the bottlenecks they experienced in the Cargo clearing process.
In the same vein, the Managing Directors of Bonded Terminals operating within the Area 2 Command, represented by Mr. Kingsley Offor, commended the out-going Comptroller on trade facilitation, affirming that Comptroller B Imam ensured a thorough conducive working environment for Bonded Terminal Operators.
While praying for success and God’s favour upon Comptr. Imam, Mr. Offor equally prayed for Gods grace to function more than his predecessor upon the life of the in-coming Comptroller, Comptr. Babandede.
On behalf of the various Customs Brokers operating with the Command, the Chairman of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Mr. Mike Ebeatu, commended the out-going Comptroller for having a listening ear and operated an open door policy, which he urged the in-coming Comptroller to embrace.
On behalf of Officers and Men of Area 2 Command, the Deputy Comptroller Administration, Deputy Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, pledged for continuous support to the new Comptroller and promised that all hands must be on deck to make him succeed.
