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By Emma Sunday, Port Harcourt
The Port Harcourt Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has inaugurated a newly renovated Staff Clinic in Rivers State, aimed at providing quality healthcare to officers and their families.
The clinic, initiated and completed in less than four months under the leadership of Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku after she assumed duty as the Area Controller, was commissioned by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone C, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Kamal Mohammed.
Inaugurating the project, ACG Mohammed expressed satisfaction, stating that the clinic, previously in a deplorable state, has been transformed to professional standard to meet the healthcare needs of officers, their families, and the surrounding community.
ACG Mohammed commended the Area Controller, Comptroller Atuluku and her team for their leadership and commitment to staff welfare which according to him reflects the Nigeria Custom’s corporate social responsibility mandate.
He explained that the event which featured free blood pressure and blood sugar screening tests, demonstrates the agency’s commitment to preventive healthcare.
He added that the renovation of the clinic and prioritisation of officers’ welfare resonates with the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, which he said anchors on collaboration, consolidation, and innovation, emphasising that a healthy workforce is crucial to organizational effectiveness.
He said the narrative of poor healthcare delivery at the Command in the past has been erased because of the passion, resilience and dynamic leadership and support of the Customs Controller Area 1.
“This renovation aligns with the Nigeria Customs Service corporate social responsibility mandate reflecting its commitment to the wellbeing and productivity of our officers and stakeholders.
“The vision of the Area Controller, her foresight and dedication has helped in solved this long standing challenge.
“A healthy workforce is the backbone of any organization and provision of quality healthcare is tantamount to sustaining productivity, morale and excellence in service.
He explained other services being undertaken by the command to include free blood and sugar test saying, “This outreach underscores our resolve to provide care beyond infrastructure and directly impact lives through preventive healthcare services”.
Earlier in her address, Controller of the Port Harcourt Area 1 Customs Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, said the rehabilitation of the Staff clinic and quarter guard were undertaken to boost staff welfare, provide them with quality healthcare, improve the functionality of the facilities and effective service delivery.
Atuluku reiterated the Command’s commitment to the health, welfare of her men and officers, as well as their families, explaining that officers’ welfare are vital to national security and development, adding that effective healthcare delivery is pivotal to efficient service delivery.
She said, “This commissioning ceremony aligns with Nigeria Customs Service policy of staff welfare, operational health and safety which recognises that the health and wellbeing of officers remains fundamental to effective service delivery.
“The provision/rehabilitation and continuous improvement of all health facilities across customs formations are central to service welfare and human resource management,” she said.
The Area 1 Customs Controller explained that upon her resumption at the command in September 2025, the facility was in poor state and requiring urgent intervention to restore it to acceptable operational standard.
“The renovated staff clinic is now better positioned to provide timely and efficient healthcare services to officers and men of the command,” she added.
In furtherance of the services’ policy on agency inter-corporation and community engagement, the Controller said the clinic will be made accessible to stakeholders, state security agencies and members of the Nigerian public.
Similarly, she said the guard remain central to security and effective command control, stressing that the renovation aligns with the establishment of the Nigeria Customs Service standard on security, infrastructure and facility maintenance which are pivotal to operational efficiency.
She however, charged operators to use the facility strictly in accordance with approved guidelines and maintenance so that they can continue to support the health operational effectiveness of the command.
Atuluku acknowledged the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for his purposeful leadership and commitment to staff welfare, and thanked officers and men of the Command for their policy guidance and support, adding that the completion of the project was made possible through their dedication and support.