The Comptroller Mohammed Babandede has taken over from the out-going Area Controller, Comptroller Baba Imam at the Onne Area 11 Customs Command in Rivers State, reports ITREALMS.
The Command had in attendance to witness the parade, various Commanders, Heads of Security Agencies and Stakeholders working in the Port Environment.
In his farewell address, Comptroller Baba Imam appreciated God for his mercy and love, even as he also appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs, BA Adeniyi, for the opportunity given to him to serve as the Customs Area Controller of the Command.
Continuing, he extended same appreciation to all security agencies and stakeholders attributing the successes recorded in the Command to the improved synergy, intelligence sharing and cooperation he enjoyed while working with them.
Comptroller Imam emphasized that officers and Men of the Command have been trained with the view to bringing attitudinal change aimed at enhancing trade facilitation in the Command.
Rendering his stewardship, he recounted some of the achievements made during his 15 months he was at the saddle of leadership as the Area Controller to include construction of a 110 seating capacity Conference Room with modern facilities, creation of a Computer training centre with 50 computers to enhance capacity building workshops and training in the Command.
He said both facilities were open for use by both Customs Officers and Stakeholders who need them.
On the impact of the revamped COWA, he insisted that officers could not have made significant impact in trade facilitation, revenue generation and anti-smuggling if their homes were in disarray, hence he appreciated his wife who was the Chairperson, Customs Officers Wives Association, Onne Chapter and said in order to appreciate COWA for all they do, the Command was able to establish a COWA Office within the Customs house , refurbish a canteen in the Office and two additional canteens in the Customs Barracks noting that the Command established two saloons in the barracks, for male and female and Tuck shops from which the proceeds go to the Association.
Addressing the officers and men of the Command, sister agencies and stakeholders, the in-coming Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede promised to sustain the cordial relationship already established in the Command with a view to improving the synergy, promising to operate an open door policy saying “I will operate an open door policy just like the Out-going Area Controller and I employ all Officers and Men in the Command to give me their support as they continue their good work. This will help improve on the successes recorded with the aim to enhance revenue generation, value addition and suppression of smuggling”.
The atmosphere was clouded with mixed feelings of joy and sadness as both officers, stakeholders and invited guests poured out their Goodwill messages to the out-going and in-coming Area Controllers.
Speaking on behalf of all the Security Agencies within the Port Environment, the Commandant Nigeria Navy Basic Training School Onne, Commodore GJ Kashim said the Out-going Controller has instilled and improved synergy among the Security agencies which he commended and prayed for more success for him in his next duty post. He also employed the In-coming Controller to maintain the cordial relationship already established by his predecessor.
Speaking on behalf of the Container Terminals at Onne Port, the Managing Director Onne Multipurpose Terminal, Mr Jim Steward said Comptroller Imam has made Container Terminal activities seamless with his intervention in reducing most of the bottlenecks they experienced in the Cargo clearing process.
On their part, Managing Directors of Bonded terminals operating within the Area 2 Command who were represented by Mr Kingsley Offor, of Kingsoo Bonded Terminal commended the out-going Area Controller applauding his giant stride on trade facilitation which he stressed that Comptroller B Imam has made through a conducive working environment for Bonded terminal operators. He prayed for success and God's favour towards him.
To the in-coming Controller he prayed for God’s grace to function more than his predecessor.
On behalf of the various Customs Brokers operating with the Command, the Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter, Mr Mike Ebeatu, commended the out-going Controller even as he praised him for his listening ear and an open door policy which he urged the in-coming Controller to embrace.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Comptroller Administration, Deputy Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie has described the occasion as a mixed feeling for both the officers and men of the Command as a result of the impact of the outgoing Comptroller Baba Imam within a short time. He commented him for his belief in value addition and hard work and dedication even as he pledged for continuous support for the new Controller and promised that all hands must be on deck to make him succeed.
The high point of the occasion was the commissioning of Compt Baba Imam Car parks, A and B. at the Customs gate.
Present at the occasion include, representatives of, NPA, NIMASA, Nigeria Police, DSS, NDLEA, Terminal operators, Customs Bonded Terminals, NAGAFF, ANLCA among others.
By Bon Peters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
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