The newly appointed Acting Customs Area Controller of the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun, has set a performance-driven agenda for officers and men of the Command, with revenue growth, discipline, accountability and trade facilitation as key priorities.
Adigun, who assumed leadership of the Command recently, gave the charge during a welcome parade organised in his honour, urging personnel to work together to block revenue leakages and improve the Command’s overall performance.
He described his appointment as a call to greater responsibility and pledged to lead with fairness, discipline and a strong sense of purpose.
The Acting Controller said the Command’s ability to meet its mandate would depend largely on the collective commitment of its personnel, regardless of rank or designation.
He therefore urged officers to strengthen teamwork, mutual respect, collaboration and professionalism, stressing that the Command’s objectives could only be achieved through a shared sense of responsibility.
On revenue, Adigun charged officers to intensify efforts towards meeting the Command’s target, saying the confidence reposed in them must translate into measurable results, increased productivity and greater accountability.
He urged officers to take ownership of their responsibilities and approach their assignments with renewed dedication.
As part of measures to prevent revenue leakages, the Acting Controller directed personnel to be meticulous in documentary checks and the examination of import declarations.
He specifically warned officers to pay close attention to classification, valuation, quantities, applicable duties and other statutory charges, noting that negligence, under-valuation, deliberate misdeclaration and improper documentation could undermine government revenue.
Adigun also placed strong emphasis on discipline, describing punctuality, accountability, respect for constituted authority and strict adherence to established procedures as non-negotiable.
He urged officers to maintain high standards of integrity and transparency, noting that the credibility of the Nigeria Customs Service was determined not only by the revenue it generated but also by the professionalism with which it carried out its statutory responsibilities.
The Acting Controller, however, cautioned that the drive for increased revenue must not come at the expense of legitimate trade, stressing the need to strike a balance between revenue collection and trade facilitation.
“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.
Adigun also urged personnel to build on the achievements of his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Aliyu Alkali, while collectively addressing the operational challenges facing the Command.
He further encouraged open communication within the Command, assuring officers that his office would remain accessible to reasonable and constructive suggestions aimed at improving operational efficiency.
The Acting Controller urged the personnel to bring forward ideas and recommendations that could strengthen the Command’s operations and enhance its contribution to the revenue and trade facilitation objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
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