Tin-Can Customs Command targets N1bn daily revenue

The Customs Area Controller of Tin-Can Island Command, Comptroller Yusuf Bashar, has directed officers of the command to work toward a daily revenue target of N1 billion.

Bashar gave the directive on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Uche Ejesieme.

He said that the command was given a revenue target of N25.8 billion monthly, translating to N306.8 billion a year.

Bashar said that this necessitated his directive for a daily target of at least N1billion.

According to him, the goals cannot be achieved without a practical commitment of all officers and men.

The controller urged heads of terminals at the port to ensure thorough system checks on declarations to identify goods whose value might have been transferred.

Bashar directed that beyond the weekly target, the various terminals will also be placed on surveillance to ensure zero tolerance for any corrupt tendency.

It was reported that as part of measures put in place for revenue collection, the controller held meetings with officers-in-charge of the terminals as well as valuation personnel.

Bashar said the meeting was meant to further reiterate his stand on zero tolerance for inappropriate examination of cargo.

He drew the attention of the sectional heads to the role of the service in national development and the implications of failure to meet expectations and its effects on the economy of the nation.

The controller urged officers of the command to make integrity, professionalism and due diligence their watchword.

He described ICT as an enabler and pointed out that officers were expected to drive the process through a renewed commitment and vigour tailored toward raising the revenue profile of the command.

Bashar said that his passion for capacity building prompted him to establish an ICT training centre which in future would serve the training needs of the service and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

He said that the Releasing officers had been found worthy in learning and character and given password.

“As the area controller, I want to state for the umpteenth time that I do not have a preferred importer or agency, which is why I have never compelled any one of you to exit any cargo based on preference.

“May I remind you to guard your passwords jealously as flimsy excuses of mistakes will not be tolerated,’’ Bashar said.

He urged stakeholders to key into the change mantra and ideology of the Comptroller-General of Customs as their sacrifice to nation-building.

Bashar said that the command, under his watch, would remain a choice and preferred port for patriotic importers in view of the penchant for the facilitation of legitimate trade.

Regarding Presidential Enabling Business Committee on Ease of Doing Business, the controller said that the command had been in the vanguard of ensuring that honest declarations were given expeditious access.

He described stakeholders’ engagement, inter-personal skills and the concept of change management as part of the building blocks to functional and effective customs operations.

“Your performance must be seen to have a significant effect on our revenue, attitudinal change and self transformation is also key.

“My style is to use ICT to control the behaviour of officers and those found wanting will be sanctioned to act as a deterrent to others,’’ Bashar said.