BY FRANCIS EZEM

As part of efforts to boost efficiency through timely release of cargo and resolution of trade disputes, the Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has commissioned its one-stop-shop treatment area designed to enhance the operation of the Query and Amendment Unit.

Also commissioned were an ultra-modern food canteen and a mini sports pitch, which are in line with the efforts of the current management of the command to boost infrastructure and also enhance the health and wellbeing of the officers and men as well as stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the command collected a total N31.84billion for the month of
August, 2018, as against the N28.60billion collected in the corresponding period of last year, representing an increase of N3.24billion.

Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Lagos, Assistant Comptroller General Aminu Dahiru, who performed the official inauguration of the projects, commended the Customs Area Controller Abdullahi Musa for his thoughtfulness, stating that the facility would address the incessant complaints of multiplicity of alerts, which hitherto was a recurring decimal.

“As the name connotes, stakeholders are enjoined to take advantage of this, especially for the facilitation of legitimate trade.  The centre will house Query and Amendment (Q & A), Valuation and Customs Intelligence Unit CIU, for the synchronisation and harmonisation of trade disputes”, the ACG said.

He also congratulated the Area Controller for deeming it fit to build an ultra-modern canteen and a mini sports pitch, which he argued are of considerable significance to the wellbeing of the officers and men of the service.  He particularly eulogised the management and members of staff of Seven Up Bottling Company plc for donating a synthetic mini pitch as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility CSR, noting that it will serve the sporting needs of both officers and other esteemed stakeholders.

The Customs Area Controller, while conducting the Zonal Coordinator round the projects, noted that the projects became imperative following the need to re-position the command to an enviable height in order to add further impetus to its status as the most user friendly port in the sub-region.

While speaking on the revenue command, he attributed the increase on the diligence and commitment of the officers and men, who have shown patriotism in ensuring that the Federal Government’s policy of blocking possible revenue leakages was strictly implemented.

Recall that the command had recently organised a two- day seminar for members of Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents ANLCA. This training was sequel to a formal request by the association for training on End User Certificate EUC, Documentation Guideline and Requirement.

Declaring the session open, the Comptroller Musa emphasised the importance of EUC as a regulatory document and urged importers and or their agents to ensure strict compliance with the processes and procedures in the interest of national security.

He harped on the need for stakeholders to build effective partnership by supporting the implementation of the fiscal policies of the Federal Government in terms of trade, while reiterating his commitment to rewarding compliant declarants as well as sanctioning deviants.

It was gathered that the two-day event was anchored by officer in charge of the CIU of the command, Deputy Comptroller Bomoi Suleiman.