Adigun Tasks Customs Officers at Onne Port with Boosting Revenue, Discipline
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji L. Adigun, has charged officers and men of the Command to strengthen teamwork, improve operational discipline and intensify efforts to prevent revenue leakages in order to enhance productivity and achieve the Command’s annual revenue target.
Adigun gave the charge during a welcome parade organised in his honour by officers and men of the Command following his assumption of leadership responsibilities.
He said his administration would prioritise professionalism, accountability, transparency and improved revenue generation, stressing that every officer must demonstrate commitment to the responsibilities assigned to them.
The Acting Area Controller expressed gratitude to God and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a call to greater responsibility, dedication and commitment to the Nigeria Customs Service.
He assured personnel that he would discharge his responsibilities with fairness, discipline and a strong sense of purpose, while urging them to support his administration in achieving the Command’s operational objectives.
Adigun emphasised that the ability of the Command to deliver on its statutory mandate depended largely on the collective efforts of its personnel, irrespective of rank or designation.
He therefore called for stronger teamwork, mutual respect, collaboration and professionalism, noting that effective service delivery required a shared sense of responsibility and commitment among officers.
On revenue generation, the Acting Controller urged officers to redouble their efforts towards meeting the Command’s revenue target for the year, insisting that the confidence reposed in the Command must translate into measurable results, improved productivity and greater accountability.
He said officers must take ownership of their respective responsibilities and approach their assignments with renewed dedication and determination.
To prevent revenue leakages, Adigun directed officers to strengthen documentary checks and ensure proper examination of import declarations, warning that lapses in cargo documentation and examination could undermine the government’s revenue drive.
He specifically urged officers to pay close attention to the accuracy of tariff classification, valuation, quantities, applicable duties and other statutory charges during cargo clearance.
According to him, negligence, under-valuation, deliberate misdeclaration and improper documentation could create opportunities for revenue losses and compromise the integrity of Customs operations.
He maintained that effective revenue collection required vigilance, attention to detail and strict compliance with established procedures, urging officers to remain thorough in the discharge of their responsibilities.
On operational discipline, the Acting Controller identified accountability, punctuality, respect for constituted authority and strict adherence to established procedures as non-negotiable standards for personnel.
He charged officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency, noting that the credibility of the Nigeria Customs Service depended not only on its revenue performance but also on the professionalism with which it discharged its statutory responsibilities.
Adigun also stressed the need to maintain a balance between revenue collection and trade facilitation, warning against operational practices that could unnecessarily frustrate legitimate businesses.
“Revenue collection must go hand-in-hand with trade facilitation by ensuring that legitimate businesses operate seamlessly while all appropriate government revenue is duly collected,” he said.
He explained that the Command must ensure that legitimate trade activities were facilitated without compromising government revenue or allowing irregularities in the importation and clearance of goods.
The Acting Controller further urged personnel to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Aliyu Alkali, while working collectively to address existing operational challenges.
He said the Command must build on the progress already recorded and identify areas requiring improvement to strengthen its operations and deliver better results.
Adigun also called for open communication and constructive engagement among officers, describing them as essential ingredients for building a productive and efficient working environment.
He assured personnel that his office would remain accessible to reasonable, constructive and service-oriented discussions, encouraging officers to contribute ideas and recommendations capable of improving operational efficiency.
He said the success of his administration would depend on the willingness of all personnel to work together, uphold professional standards and remain committed to the overall objectives of the Service.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Theophilus P. Duniya, disclosed this in a statement announcing the Acting Controller’s charge to officers and men of the Command.
