Considering the strategic architecture designed by the Controller, Compt. Bashr Yusuf, the operational synergy of the Command is structured in a way that allows for checks & balances, especially the close monitoring of all declarations with a view to ensuring that all infractions are detected and necessary actions taken, to serve as deterrent.
Accordingly, the operational paradigm and dynamics received a major boost as a veritable tool for facilitation of legitimate trade and adherence to due diligence in the discharge of our functions leading to the record revenue haul of N256.4bn between January to December 2016.
The Command during the year under reference generated N256,416,708,848.68. This is against N266,185,188,546.00.
This figure represents a marginal difference when compared with the figure for 2016, with a shortfall of less than 10billion attributable to some factors beyond the control of the Command.
Key highlights leading to the haul include interception of massive quantity of arms within the period.
There was also the harvest of infrastructural development in the command plus the building of a well furnished and equipped clinic for men and officers of the Tincan Command.
Another key deal was the confirmation of several visits by lawmakers who confessed that the command had done well within the period under review.
The Command also recorded the seizure of 31 containers of 50KG of Rice, falsely declared as bread improvers/flavoured yeast disodium p
There was another mega seizure of unmanifested substances, 27X20Ft containers of vegetable oil kegs also wrongfully declared.
There is also the case of confiscated ready to eat foods numbering over 1,395 cartons of nau nau including Egusi, prrodige yam and others.
The commands remarkable performance during the period under review attracted eulogies and encomiums especially from the Customs Hierarchy. These commendations which were communicated in four (4) different letters at the instance of the CGC bore testimony to the appreciation of the Service. It is remarkable to state that at no time in the history of the Service has any Command received four (4) letters of commendation in a space of two months. That to us is a milestone which the Command will sustain in the New Year and beyond.
While thanging God for the feat achieved in 2016, Compt. Bashr hailed the CGC Col. Hameed Ali Rtd and his management team for providing effective leadership to the Service, saying “The issue of integrity, transparency and due diligence which is encapsulated in the change mantra of the CGC, has provided the needed impetus for the Service to thrive’.
“In fact, no Command or officer would like to be a weak link in the value chain. It therefore suffices to say that we are on our toes to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. At the Tincan Island Command we have resolved to consolidate on the gains/achievement of the past year and to do even more.
“We are operationally ready to cope with whatever challenge that we might encounter in the new year and beyond. As a benchmark Command, we are not leaving anything to chance in ensuring operational efficiency.
The command is determined and poised to forge a better synergy and collaboration with the critical stakeholders and other Sister Agencies for the implementation of the fiscal policies of the Federal Government.
In conclusion, Bashr reiterated that “Our zero tolerance for false declaration or other deliberate infractions. In this regard, all areas of Revenue leakages will be identified and blocked, and any attempt by an importer/and or his agent to circumvent the process will be viewed seriously”.
According to him, “We want to assure all honest declarants of our readiness to facilitate trade in line with global best practices”.