The new Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Babatunde O. Olomu, has warmed that his administration will have zero tolerance for smuggling of prohibited items, concealment, and declaration for duty evasion.
He asserted that he saw his appointment as a serious task from the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR to deliver diligently not only in revenue collection, fight against smuggling, but also in trade facilitation and sustainable stakeholder engagement.
Olomu who spoke while taking over the leadership of the command on Monday
promised to ensure full implementation of all provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the Common External Tariff (CET), import and export prohibition guidelines, and other books of instruction as directed by the federal government.
He promised not to betray the trust reposed in him the government and the comptroller general, even as he gave an assurance that he would build on the successes of his predecessor.
In his words: “I see my task as CAC Apapa command as a serious assignment from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR dsm psc (+) of which our only option is to deliver diligently not only in revenue collection, fight against smuggling, but in trade facilitation and sustainable stakeholder engagement.
“My assumption of this office is with a mind of confidence that we won’t betray the trust reposed in us by the FGN, CGC and the entire management of the Nigeria Customs Service. This confidence is premised on the reality that I am taking over a very organized command, where I intend to build on the successes of my predecessor.
“Let me state unequivocally that we shall implement all the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the Common External Tariff, import and export prohibition guidelines, and other books of instruction as directed by the FGN.”
The new area controller declared that he would promote a robust customs community relation system where there will be regular interface with all government and private sector stakeholders, adding that he would upscale enforcement with intelligence to ensure that only legitimate trade is allowed in Apapa Port and all the terminals within the command.
Noting that Nigeria holds a strategic position for trade in West and Central Africa and that Apapa Port is critical in Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), he stated that management is reveiwing Nigeria’s readiness for improved trade with fellow African countries and the world at large.
Olomu maintained that the management of the command is committed to evolving a more modern customs with Apapa Port being a nucleus to the implementation of the many trade facilitation reforms championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs.
“I want to urge our officers to brace up for the changes that will feature as fallouts of customs modernization, otherwise called e-customs, AEO, and many other groundbreaking World Customs Organization innovations like the recently introduced advanced ruling policy.
“This will enable them to enjoy more gains of trading across borders in the global supply chain in line with the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), the WCO Supply Chain Management Guidelines, and the various national best practices.
“As a working principle, I hereby advise all our officers to treat all official matters with the speed they deserve leaving no file unattended to as such delays could mean slowing down government revenue inflow.
“I shall emplace a trade dispute resolution seat that will operate every day including weekends to ensure that we make this command a true front liner in global best practices in terms of customs operation for other customs formations to emulate.”
The new area controller noted that being the customs command handling the largest volume of trade in Nigeria, his leadership won’t be complacent and will be open to continuous engagement with everyone.
He said unequivocally that his doors are open for advice on how best to achieve the mandate because everyone is there to add value and do better for Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, the outgoing Controller, Babajide Jaiyeoba appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs for considering him worthy to steer Customs affairs at Nigeria’s flagship Customs command domiciled at the busiest port in West and Central Africa.
He recounted that his tour of duty as Area Controller of Apapa Command ended after 8 months, saying that it gave him great joy to recall the very suspense filled and exciting moments of goals achieved day by day, week by week and month by month culminating into tangible results for the benefit of Nigeria and her economy.
His words: “When I assumed office in September 2023, the assurances of support I received from officers and men on ground strengthened me and I can boldly say all we achieved during my period are products of teamwork.
“I won’t also take the cooperation of our sister agencies and stakeholders for granted. We jointly worked to achieve our individual organizational goals and collective interest of making Apapa port import and export friendly without undermining national security”.