The Nigeria Customs Service Area 1 Command Port Harcourt has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to partner and synergize with them in Area of National Security.
In a courtesy visit to the Zonal Command of the Anti-Graft agency in Port Harcourt on Wednesday 14 February, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mustapha Hashim stated that the roles of the Customs Service and the EFCC are intertwined towards achieving a common National Interest and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians.
He further stated that the visit was to seek further cooperation with the EFCC in the areas of intelligence gathering and information sharing, noting that the efforts being put in place by the Customs Service to generate revenue,suppress smuggling and facilitate international trade cannot be totally achieved if all security agencies in the Country do not work in synergy.
Speaking on the achievements recorded in the Command so far, Comptroller Hashim disclosed that despite the low influx of Container vessels and other technicalities involving freight differential, the Command was able to generate and collect the total sum of #17,065,088,490.16 thereby surpassing the mandated 2024 monthly revenue target of #15,361,810,843.47 with a surplus of #1.713,277,636.7.
In his reaction to the Customs Chief, the Zonal Commander of the EFCC, ACE 1 Ahmed Ghali posited that the act establishing the EFCC also empowered the agency to beem its searchlights on Smuggling activities in the Country, with special attention on money laundering. Therefore it was imperative for both agencies to work together to protect the Nation from unwholesome activities of Economic saboteurs.
He went further to congratulate the Customs Controller on his revenue drive and achievements made.
He assured him of his agency’s support and collaboration in any area of need.
