NCS: Tincan command receives international award of exceptional service

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has conferred a prestigious award on the Tincan Island Port Command, while marking this year’s International Customs Day (ICD).

The award, which was conferred on the command for rendering exceptional service, was presented on behalf of the WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya, by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (rtd).

Ali noted that the Tincan Island had done remarkably well in anti-smuggling operations through spectacular seizures, among others.

Speaking on the significance of the International Customs Day Celebration, the CGC said it provided an opportunity to X-ray, review and evaluate the role of customs in nation building as a revenue generating Agency, stating further that the theme for the year is: ‘To Secure Business Environment for Economic Development’ .

He said it was apt considering the state of insecurity and challenges in Nigeria and the world at large.

He said, “the International event is an auspicious moment to recognize private and public organizations as well as officers and units that have demonstrated outstanding performance during the period under reference for awards by the WCO.”

While receiving the award on behalf of the command, the Comptroller Bashar Yusuf recalled with nostalgia the exploits of the command in the past two years.

In his remark, the elated Comptroller said, “I assumed leadership of the command at a time its rating was at lowest ebb in terms of functionality in areas of revenue and seizures, which forms the core mandate of the command.

“I thank God Almighty for giving me the wherewithal to justify the confidence reposed in me by the CGC and his management, which is evidenced in this International Award.

“I therefore dedicate it to the Entire Tincan Team, comprising the officers/men, the CIU, Valuation, PCA, the Customs Brokers, critical Stakeholders and the Media for their tremendous support”

Recall that the Tincan Island Command had in the last two years generated over N544 Billion in revenue and through various far reaching reforms instituted had built an ICT Training Centre as well as a fully equipped clinic which was officially commissioned by the CGC in November 2017.

The command has also recorded very unique seizures within the past two years which included , but not limited to; Cocaine with a street value of over two N2 billion concealed in a container, 900 Cartridges/Military hardware, recovery of suspected stolen two (2) Range Rover and repatriation of same through Interpol to United State of America, seizure of substandard/Regulated Tramadol containers, Large quantity of Biafran Arms band, 31 containers of rice falsely declared as yeast/bread enhancer, 20 by 20 containers of Vegetable Oil falsely declared as Disodium Phosphate.

Yusuf noted that the successes of the command could be attributed to the team spirit and his open door policy of inclusiveness.

” Team spirit is key to development with it’s attendant checks and balances. I also have a profiling team comprising all the egg heads, APM, the CIU, the Valuation Unit, PCA, Enforcement and indeed the entire officers/men, whose invaluable contribution cannot be quantified.

“we are very passionate about collaboration and synergy with Critical Agencies, and we have imbibed the virtues of transparent-integrity and due diligence in our day to day dealing in line with Global Best Practices,” he stated.

Joy Anyim