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It was an atmosphere of mixed reactions at the Onne Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Rivers State as officers and men of the command, as well as other stakeholders and security agencies in the port complex witnessed the change of baton at the command.
Our correspondent said a parade was mounted in honour of the outgoing comptroller of the command, Baba Imam and the incoming Comptroller Mohammed Babadede which took place on Friday April 19, 2024 at the Nigeria Customs Area 2 Command Onne.
Speaking at the event, the outgoing comptroller, Baba Imam expressed appreciation to God for His mercies and love shown to him which enabled him to achieve all that he did in the command. The controller while thanking the Comptroller General of the Service, CGC Wale Adeniyi for the opportunity given to him to serve as the Area Controller of the command assured that he will continue to remain committed to the service to achieving its mandates.
He acknowledged the support and cooperation of other security agencies and stakeholders, while attributing the successes he recorded to the synergy and intelligence sharing as well as cooperation he enjoyed from them.
The comptroller used the opportunity to enumerate some of his achievements at the command, which include generating over N22 billion in a single day, generating over N162 billion in the first three months of 2024, which according to him was equivalent to what was generated in seven months (January to July) of 2023.
Other achievements recorded include training and retraining of officers and men of the command with a view to bringing attitudinal change to enhance trade facilitations, construction of 110 seating capacity conference room with modern facilities, establishment of a computer training centre for capacity building workshops and trainings which are open for use by both Customs officers and other stakeholders who need them.
The command under his leadership, according to Imam, also appreciated their wives under the umbrella of Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) with the establishment of a COWA office and refurbishment of the canteen at the Custom House and at the barracks, as well as setting up of hair saloons for both male and female with the proceeds going to the association.
In his remarks, the incoming comptroller, Compt. Mohammed Babandede promised to operate an open door policy in order to sustain the cordial relationship already establishing in the command and enjoined officers and men as well as other stakeholders to continue to extend to him the support and cooperation they accorded his predecessor for the sustenance of the successes and achievements recorded in the command, assuring that he will improve on the revenue profile and suppression of smuggling activities.
In his goodwill message, the commandant Nigerian Navy Basic Training School Onne Commodore G.K Kashim who spoke on behalf of other security agencies, commended the outgoing comptroller for creating an enabling environment for synergy as he wished him well in his next assignment. He urged the incoming comptroller to sustain the cordial relationship already established by his predecessor.
Also speaking the chairman of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Onne Chapter, Mr. Mike Ebeatu, who spoke on behalf of the Customs brokers eulogized Comptroller Iman for having a listening ear and open door policy, which according to him ensured friction free relationship with their members and promised to extend the same cooperation to the new comptroller.
Other speakers at the event include Mr. Kingsley Offor, of Bonded Terminal operators and Mr. Jim. Steward of Container Terminal operators commended the outgoing comptroller for reducing the bottle necks in their operations and urged the new comptroller to sustain the tempo.
The Deputy Comptroller in charge of Administration at the command, DC Chidi Nwokorie, who spoke on behalf of the officers and men of the command pledged their continuous support to the new comptroller assuring that all will be done for him to succeed and wished the outgoing comptroller well in his new posting.
