The Zonal Coordinator Zone “A” of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Abueh Monday (mni) has charged officers and men of the Service to be extra vigilant and dedicated to their duties.
Speaking while addressing officers during his tour/inspection of Commands in Zone “A”, the ACG told his officers to wake up, be alert and more committed to serving their fatherland, a pledge which they must uphold and keep at all times.
In his words “These times calls for greater attention to details. We must become extra careful and vigilant. We must be very thorough. 100% examination of containers is a must for all cargo. Do not take anything for granted. Do not sign any document if you are not sure. Sign only what you know and be very certain about it”.
Assuring officers that Customs work is one and the same in all commands, the ACG told officers in the Zone to concentrate and focus on their work wherever they find themselves.
Abueh stated that officers who want to remain in a particular post are not doing themselves any good because of the limitations they impose on themselves by not willing to work in other departments/units of the Service.
According to the ACG “Any officer who wants to succeed in the Service should be ready to work anywhere any time. From Excise, to Enforcement, Valuation, Investigation and Inspection, Excise and Free Trade Zones, Administration, ICT etc, officers should know what to do. But if you think the only place you want to work is in the ports then you are not a proper officer. Any worthy officer should be well grounded in all aspects of Customs Operations”.
The ACG was emphatic that the Federal Government needs Revenue to carry out projects across the country. He also stressed the issue of securing the country against saboteurs and deviant elements.
“We cannot compromise security for anything. We have a duty and a responsibility to keep our country and citizens safe. This has always been our duty but the times and the developments around us now call for greater vigilance, I cannot over emphasize this. All Area Controllers must ensure strict supervision and make sure operations run smoothly. Any officer found failing in his or her duty will not be spared. To be fore warned is to be fore armed”, the ACG Said.
Abueh did not mince words when he told officers at the border Commands to ensure that Vehicles and Rice which have been banned by the Federal Government from coming into the country through the land borders are not allowed to come in for any reason. The ACG said any officer caught colluding with smugglers will not be spared.
He assured all Customs officers that the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (Rtd) is committed to providing tools and equipment need to carry out their duties while he appeal on all Terminal Operators to provide the necessary equipments to enable officers and men to carry out 100% examinations effectively and efficiently, and also facilitate trade.
