Tincan Island harps on aggressive revenue drive

In a bid to increase the revenue generation of the command to meet its revenue target, the Customs Area Controller, Tincan Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Bashar Yusuf has given new directives to Officers in-charge of the Terminals, as well as, the Valuation personnel in the Terminals.

This, he said will curb inappropriate examination of cargo, comparative analysis of declarations on the SGD (Single Goods Declaration) with the system declaration and appropriate valuation of goods to guide against transfer of value amongst others.

In his opening remarks, the Area Controller drew the attention of the sectional heads to the role of the Service in National development and the implications of failure to meet with expectations and its concomitant effect on the economy of the nation.

He reminded them that the Command was given N 25.8billion revenue target a month, translating to N306.8b in a year, which necessitated his directive for a daily target of at least 1b. He noted that the goals cannot be achieved without a practical commitment of all officers/men.

Speaking further, the Controller admonished terminal heads to ensure thorough system checks on declarations are carried out to identify goods which value may have been transferred for regularization.

In view of the above, the Controller directed that beyond the weekly target, the various terminals will also be placed on serious surveillance to ensure zero tolerance for any corrupt tendency.

Similarly, the Controller while declaring closed an ICT training in the Command charged participants to make integrity, professionalism and due diligence their watch word while stating that ICT is an enabler, he pointed out that the participants are expected to drive the process through a renewed commitment and vigor tailored towards raising the Revenue profile of the Command.

He noted that his passion for capacity building prompted him to establish the training centre, which in future will serve the training needs of the Service and the WCO, noting that whoever passes through the facility would have a comparative advantage of out-pacing their contemporaries in all aspects of 21st Century Customs Operations.

In his words, We have found you worthy in learning and character; and that is why we gave you Password.” “As the Area Controller, I want to state for the umpteenth time that I do not have a preferred importer, or agency, which is why I have never compelled any one of you to exit any cargo based on such preference”. May I remind you to guard your pass words jealously as flimsy excuses of in deliberate mistakes will not be tolerated.