Former Customs Zonal Coordinator, Zone “A`, Assistant Comptroller-General Eporwei Edike, said the zone generated N1.60 trillion from all Customs formations in South West Nigeria during his tenure between 2015 and 2016.
Edike disclosed on Thursday in Lagos while handing over to the new Zonal Coordinator of Zone “A“, Assistant Comptroller-General Monday Abueh.
He attributed the achievements to all customs comptrollers and officers who made it possible to achieve tremendous revenue for the Federal Government.
“I am specially appreciating our Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Alli, for giving me and some officers under me the privilege to participate in raising revenue for government.
“The comptroller-general made some changes last year which brought the new changes which had brought huge revenue for government.
“I appreciated all sister agencies and other government agencies such as the Nigerian Shippers` Council (NSC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and all the terminal operators for their support.
“I thanked all maritime journalists for the timely information which had supported our achievements.
“Customs alone cannot do the work alone. Though, statutorily, it is our responsibility, “ Edike said.
He urged the media to triple the support they had rendered to him during his tenure, adding that as “they do this, they are supporting the comptroller-general of Customs as well as the Federal Government.
In his response, Abueh said he was not surprised about the tremendous achievements of his predecessors, adding that Edike had built enough capacity to deliver excellent services.
Abueh said, “ Zone `A ` is very important to the service’’.
“If Zone A fails, it is like the entire Customs Service has failed and this is why the management usually redeploys sound minded officers to the zone.’’
“Posting of officers is a normal exercise that goes on at all times.
“I am expected to improve on the successes that had been recorded in Zone `À’ and that I promise to do.
“Importantly, we cannot succeed on our own because Customs officers work with intelligence, which are being provided by the Nigerian public and members of the press.
“I will plea for the media support to enable us generate more revenue and tackle security issues in the county.
“The new government regulation has banned the importation of vehicles and we are assuring that no single vehicle will come into the country, “ Abueh said.
He urged the media to sensitise Nigerians on the local rice available in the country.
Abueh said that he would operate an open door policy for people to come at anytime to support him with information to move the service forward.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Command, Comptroller Mohammed Jubril, said officers were already missing a very good leader who had supported them to achieve success.
Jubril said that Edike’s operation had improved discipline and changed officers’ attitude to work, adding that this had supported the huge revenue generated by the service.
The controller said that Customs was meant to promote compliance with international trade, to combat smuggling and improve revenue generation.
Jubril expressed the readiness of officers and men in the zone to support the new zonal coordinator to achieve success.
He said that officers of the zone had received tremendous recognition from the comptroller- general of Customs for brilliant performances recorded in the zone.
The Controller, Murtala Airport Command, Comptroller Frank Allanah, during the vote of thanks, said that other officers remaining in the zone would keep the flag flying.
Allanah urged Edike to continue to remember zone “A“ and assured the assistant comptroller-general that the fruit he had sowed would continue to germinate for the new incoming zonal coordinator to harvest.
Speaking on behalf of maritime journalists, Asu Beks, said the media would support the new zonal coordinator to succeed better than his predecessors.