By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The newly appointed Area Comptroller of Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, B.O Olomu has warned that his regime would have zero- tolerance for smuggling and other unwholesome activities. He vowed to diligently pursue policies that will potentially enhance revenue collection, and trade facilitation.
This is even as he has promised the full and religious implementation of all the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the Common External Tariff CET, Import and Export Prohibition Guidelines, and other relevant extant laws.
Comptroller Olomu who spoke on Monday, May 6, 2024, during his official resumption of duty as the new boss of the Apapa NCS Command in Lagos, also assured that he will leverage the solid foundation laid by his predecessor to take the Command to the next level .
In his inaugural speech, Olomu noted that activities such as smuggling of prohibited items, concealment and declaration for duty evasion etc,would not have a place in his administration.
“Our tolerance level for smuggling of prohibited items ,concealment and declaration for duty evasion shall be zero and shall remain so..
“Our country holds s strategic position for trade in West and Central Africa and Apapa Port is critical to Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area AFCFTA,.
“We are renewing Nigeria’s readiness for improved trade with fellow African countries and the world at large.
“Let me state categorically that we shall implement all the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 ,the Common External Tariff ,Import and Export Prohibition Guidelines and other books of instructions as directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“My assumption of this office is with a mind of confidence that we won’t betray the trust reposed in us by the Government, Comptroller General of Customs CGC, and the entire management of the Nigeria Customs Service .
“This confidence is premised on the reality that I am taking over a very organized command ,where I intend to build on the successes of my predecessor” Olomu stated.
He, therefore, called on the officers and men of the command to brace up and key in to the vision of taking the command to greater heights.
“I want to urge our officers to brace up for the changes that will feature as fall outs of customs modernization otherwise called e-customs ,AEO and many other groundbreaking World Customs Organization Innovations like the recently introduce advanced ruling policy.
“As a working principle, I hereby advise all our officers to treat all official matters with the speed they deserve leaving no file unattended to as such delays could mean slowing down Government revenue inflow.
“I shall emplace a trade dispute resolution seat that will operate every day including weekends to ensure that we make this command a true front liner in global best practices in terms of customs operation for other customs formations to emulate .
“Being the customs command handling the largest volume of trade in Nigeria ,Apapa Command under my leadership won’t be complacent and will be open to continuous engagement with every one .
“My doors are open to advice on how best to achieve our mandate because we are all here to add value and do better for Nigeria” Comptroller Olomu further stated .
The new Comptroller took over from Babajide Jaiyeoba who bowed out after putting 35 years in the service.
