By Chinonye Anyatonwu
In line with the CGC directives and customs reforms, the newly Promoted Acting Assistant Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Yusuf Malanta has handed over Apapa customs command leadership to the new controller, Comptroller Auwal Mohammed.
While speaking at the hand over ceremony which took place at the Apapa Command, Malanta urged officers, stakeholders and members of the press to give his successor the same level of support he received as the head of the Command.
The newly promoted ACG urged stakeholders to be transparent in declaring their cargos to help fast track the trade process and make for competitiveness in the demand and supply value chain rather than cutting corners.
In his word, “I urge the stakeholders to continue to be compliant, the era of cutting corners should stop, go straight and you will be there earlier than you think. Trade can only be predicted when you are compliant,” he said.
ACG Yusuf described the incoming controller as an
exemplary officer for his topnotch professionalism in Customs processes.
“Auwal is all about due process, so we are now in the era of due process. I know Compt Auwal can do it better, he has a much more midas touch,” he said.
In his remark, the new Controller of the Command, Comptroller Auwal Muhammed promised to sustain the tempo and strength the outgoing CAC laid down by surpassing the revenue generation at the command with the support of the officers.
He added that due diligence shall be given preference at all times in cargo documentation and clearing as all containers landing and leaving Apapa Port shall be subjected to 100% physical examination. Officers should exhibit high level of integrity in cargo releasing, so as to avoid release of cargo in error.
“My first assignment is to make sure that I sustain the tempo, that is why in addition to remodeling of the command, we are going to introduce due process, this means doing your work without any blemish.”
“I am appealing to you not to relent on your efforts but to double and grant me the support you have given to my senior colleague and the sky will not be our limit but the starting point,”
He added that there will be no delay in cargo clearing once it is declared correctly.
“There won’t be delay once cargo is declared correctly. I am not going to entertain non- compliant traders. To avoid delay, I am urging you to make proper declaration.”
Malanta however dedicated the success achieved while he held sway to officers and men of the command and urged the new controller to continue with the ongoing remodeling of the command offices.
He presented some officers of the command who has showed dedication and excelled with their work to up the revenue of the command with Certificates of Honour of the Service including the Public Relations Officer of the Command CSC Abubakar Usman.
