"Our port is blessed with fixed, mobile, and gantry scanners, currently, the best of its kind in the country" - Comptroller Olumoh
Bisi Akingbade
The Customs Area Controller, CAC, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, Lekki, Comptroller Olanrewaju Abdul Wahab Olumoh has disclosed that the command is fortunate to have the best fixed, mobile and gantry scanners in Nigeria.
Speaking during the double celebrations of International Customs Day and Decorations of newly promoted officers at the command in Lagos.
Comptroller Olumoh said this has reduced physical inspection and increased efficiency at the Port.
"Regarding efficiency, I hail the CGC for enormous support he has been giving us towards boosting our productivity and operational efficiency.
A large number of our cargoes in the port and free zones are being scanned, making cargo clearance faster in this corridor".
"Our port is blessed with fixed, mobile, and gantry scanners, currently,the best of its kind in the country", Olumoh proudly disclosed in his speech.
"This has significantly reduced clearance time, minimizes delays that may be associated with physical inspections, and brings about increased efficiency in our operations. The Customs administration under the good leadership of the CGC is supporting our drive in the command to make our operations be in tandem with International Best practices".
He highlighted the significance of ICD, a day that is celebrated annually on January 26. He noted that the day provides an opportunity to recognise dedicated customs workforce and further highlight roles customs administrations in member nations play in achieving goals of the WCO.
The CAC noted that LFTZ Command is directly relevant to realization of the aspirations of WCO:
"Within the last one year, the command has been working assiduously towards supporting drives of the CGC, by leveraging on existing provisions to advance cause of the service, to promote trade and investment for growth of the nation's economy and enhancing shared prosperity between Nigeria, investors and the International trading partners". He said
The CAC also mentioned unwavering support his command has been receiving from the CGC and Management Team, which has furthered the cause of efficiency in the command:
"Last year, a good number of residential buildings were gotten for our officers by the Headquarters and this has greatly eased accommodation challenges we have been facing; a 30 seater coastal bus was also provided for us to transport our personnel from their quarters to the offices; a good number of our officers last year also had the opportunity to be nominated to travel out of the country to participate in Customs related programs and share experiences with Customs of other nations", he said.
He added, "Participation in such fora has also helped us to be in tune with what is prevalent in the global environment. The opportunity to gain more experience and share perspectives has impacted quality of our services in the command".
"Due to the humane approach we apply in our stakeholder engagements, our simplified and streamlined operational procedures, all not at variance with global best practices, the command has continued to attract more businesses and investments into Nigeria", the articulate Customs Area Controller, Olumoh mentioned.
On its commitment to security, the CAC said the command realizes this is a collective responsibility and that it believes it can not do it alone and needs to collaborate with other agencies.
Through credible intelligence gathered by the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and the strategic partnership with notable agencies like NDLEA, NAFDAC, the command successfully intercepted 3 containers of illicit drugs and unauthorized pharmaceutical products last year.
"For the years ahead, this collaborative effort will be sustained and improved upon to guarantee further efficiency and improved security for optimal and quality service delivery", he assured.
Comptroller Olumoh stressed, "When there is efficiency and security, prosperity is inevitable. Last year,the command not only met its revenue target of 144 Billion Naira but surpassed it by generating the sum of N358 billion -
"Efficiency of the individual personnel translates to that of the organisation. What drives the Nigeria Customs Service into making impressive revenue generation is the efficiency of its workforce under inspiring leadership of the CGC", the CAC disclosed also.
"Their dedication, hard work, and strong commitment resulted in the promotions", Olumoh added. He urged the newly promoted officers to see this elevation as a call to service, an avenue for them to renew their commitment, reaffirm their pledge of loyalty, support and dedication to the service of our fatherland with a view to making the NCS attain its overriding goal of national prosperity.
"Promotion, I must conclude by saying, is a continuous exercise. It is my heartfelt prayer that those who did not get it now should not relent as they will, by the grace of God, get it the next time. What is important is long life, good health, perseverance, steadfastness, and faith in GOD", the CAC optimistically charged other officers.
Comptroller Olumoh further reassures investors and all stakeholders of the command's readiness in providing full support in all their legitimate operations towards the overall benefit of Nigeria and their businesses.
The ceremony had in attendance Sister Government Agencies, key Stakeholders, families and friends of the promoted officers for the decorations.
