Eromosele Abiodun
The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said that it generated N1.24 billion as revenue for the month of November, 2016.
Also, the Command said it made 99 Seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N82.8 million during the period.
It added that the revenue generated exceeded the monthly revenue target of the command with N59.13 million.
The Customs Area Controller, A. Mulima attributed the feat to the commitment of his management team, the cooperation and compliance level of the stakeholders and the host communities that were ready to partner with him in transforming the Command.
He stressed that being firm and persistent to the principle of transparency, diplomacy and fairness despite forces of distraction is gradually stabilising the Command’s revenue drive.
He reiterated that the Command will continue to facilitate and provide a conducive and a level playing ground for every genuine trader that uses the Seme international land border as a corridor to the West African sub region.
“The upsurge in the revenue figure of the last quarter justifies the Command’s open door policy and its commitment to excel in revenue generation viz-a-viz anti-smuggling operations. The resolve of the Command to remain resolute in actualising the vision/mission of the Service and the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) without compromise cannot be over-emphasised, “ he said.
He also attributed the success recorded to the firm stand taken by the Valuation Unit in generating values and the resolve of the Republic of Benin to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding signed on the 4th of August, 2016.
“This has actually translated to the higher revenue generated despite the numerous challenges that would have ordinarily hampered the revenue generated, “ he said.
In one of the briefings to his management team and patrol leaders, the Customs Area Controller highlighted that the posting of a proper officer to a particular duty post is predicated on the fact that the officer is conversant with the books of instructions that guide his modus operandi, “hence infraction observed will be traced to where it originated from and the culprit made to face the consequences of his action. Therefore, the need for carefulness and uprightness in discharging official functions among officers and men of the Service cannot be over-emphasised.”
Commenting further on the yuletide season, the Customs Area Controller disclosed that officers and men must ensure that the entire border is fortified against smuggling activities and cross border crimes of any kind.
He also cautioned the unprofessional use of arms among operational officers, stressing that arms should be used only when the conditions for usage becomes unavoidable. He warned that a situation where the border environment and communities always witness a lot of cross border vices and crises during the yuletide season will not be encouraged nor tolerated under his watch.
He enjoined officers and men of the Command to maintain a high level of discipline, professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their responsibilities while observing the 7Cs as their operational guidelines. He charged all patrol leaders to ensure that Seme Command remains blocked to smugglers of all restricted and contraband goods.
