Comptroller Mohammed Auwal, newly redeployed Comptroller for the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has tasked officers of the command on due process in their operations.
Auwal gave the charge on Friday on resumption of office to take over the reign of affairs at the command from the outgoing area Controller, Comptroller Malanta Yusuf.
He explained that due process simply means carrying out responsibilities with due diligence and without blemish and advised the staff against compromise.
“We know how far we have gone in this area command, how the service and Federal Government is relying on the officers working in this command to generate revenue.
“I know the shoes I am stepping into and I assure you that I am prepared for the job.
“I am assuring you that from where I am coming from, though much smaller, but we have done our best there and I am going to double and triple what I have done in my last area command,” he said.
He said that the command had been structured for excellent performance.
Auwal said that he would sustain the tempo by contributing to the remodelling of the port as well as the command.
“I am going to cooperate and encourage you and legitimately support you. I am appealing to you not to relent on your efforts, and give me the total cooperation you accorded my senior colleague,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to make thorough and proper declaration to ensure smooth passage of cargo.
In his remarks, Yusuf now the Assistant Controller General, Information Communication and Technology (ICT) and Modernisation Department of the service, noted that he had a memorable stay in Apapa and urged officers to extend support to the new area controller.
“I came in here 23 months ago, and I am so glad that I have perfected my work and I am going to hand you over to the new area controller.
“It’s not an easy task, but with your support, perseverance and zeal, determination to achieve our mandate, we have successfully fit into that shoe and I urge you to support the next area controller.
“The responsibility of a leader is to mentor and ensure compliance and along the line build up a successor that can be groomed and become a leader of tomorrow.
“I have seen a lot of hope in the officers, so many of you will be going to a long place and many of you have a very high passion for the job, please do keep it up, don’t relent and avoid disruption by any means,” he said.
Yusuf urged the officers to carry out their duties diligently without compromising standards.
“We have successfully made lots of achievements, we met the command with a revenue figure of N520 billion. With your determination and effort, we were able to generate N820 billion in 2021, from there to N1.02 trillion in 2022, a feat achieved by you all.
“We made some classical seizures of pentagon drugs, cocaine, tramadol and others.
“In year 2021, we made 103 seizures and in 2022, 125 seizures, which are containerised cargoes. These cargoes could have found their way into the society without your intervention and other government agencies in the port.
“We have a coordinated synergy within ourselves here, we track and trace every illicit drug in this command, so kindly keep it up and continue with this. Apapa is a no go area for any illicit importation,” he said.
He also urged illicit traders to be aware to losing their investments.
“I am sure it will be more tougher with them with the incoming controller.
“I want our new controller to continue with the modeling in the command as it has made officers work more productive.
“I thank all stakeholders who contributed immensely to the remodelling in the command and this shows the kind of synergy between customs, stakeholders and other government agencies in the port,” he said. (NAN)(
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