Comptroller.Dera Nnadi, mni has said that though the Tin Can Island Customs Command has only collected 52 per cent out of the target of N801 billion with barely three months to the end of year 2023, collecting the remaining 48 per cent before the year runs out is achievable.
Speaking after taking over as the Customs Area Controller of the Command on Thursday, Nnadi stressed that coming at a time the floating exchange rate is affecting shippers makes it a big but achievable task.
He called for cooperation, saying that the dynamism of the maritime industry requires that stakeholders join forces to provide solutions to individual and collective needs.
He reminded stakeholders that Nigeria Customs Service has three key performance indicators, which are revenue collection, anti smuggling, and service delivery, often referred to as trade facilitation.
According to the new Tin Can Customs controller, these three serve as yardstick for measuring the performance of the service.
“These indicators will always remain relevant in our economic discourse until we attain full development as a nation. It is more so for Tincan Command, especially now,” Nnadi stated.
He noted that Customs roles in securing the nation are vast, ranging from interventions against economic saboteurs who distort and take advantage of the nation’s trade policy, including those that import illicit goods that contribute to the insecurity in the country.
He commended the outgoing Controller, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede and officers of the command for the recent seizure of two containers of tramadol and promised to sustain the fight against importation of illicit and unapproved drugs.
He requested the cooperation of shipping companies, terminal operators and other government agencies
in the efforts towards ensuring the actualisation of the rebranding of the Command.
He also requested agencies their various mandates, as those concerned with regulatory functions should stay away from interference in revenue related transactions except it is in their mandate to do so.
Nnadi promised to open his doors for seamless trade, but will also close the doors against unwholesome activities that will compromise the Service mandates.