…As Olomu targets Global best practices, Improve Revenue and Frontliner Status sustainability
The Apapa Customs new Area Controller, Babatunde Olomu on Monday assured stakeholders of putting in place, a functional trade dispute resolution seat, whose primary focus will include making the command truly, a front liner in global best practices, particularly in terms of Customs operations.
“I shall emplace a trade dispute resolution seat that will operate every day including weekends, to ensure that we make this command a true front liner in global best practices, in terms of Customs operation for other customs formations to emulate”, Comptroller Olomu stated, while acknowledging the uniqueness of the Apapa Command.
The new CAC said this while taking over from his predecessor, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, who had just completed a 35-year meritorious service.
Ironically, as Olomu another Public Relations expert takes over Apapa, complimenting fellow gurus like Dera Nnadi at Tim Can, and Timi Bomodi at the Seme Border, stakeholders have finally woken up to Customs management’s determination to seriously work on Service image, through attitudinal modifications and verifiable performance.
“Being the Customs command handling the largest volume of trade in Nigeria, Apapa Command under my leadership won’t be complacent but will be open to continuous engagement with everyone.
“My doors are open for advice on how best to achieve our mandate because we are all here to add value and do better for Nigeria”, he posited, stressing that there will be regular interface with all government and private sector stakeholders, even while upscaling enforcement and intelligence, to ensure that only legitimate trade is allowed in Apapa Port
“As a working principle, I hereby advise all our officers to treat all official matters with the speed they deserve leaving no file unattended to as such delays could mean slowing down government revenue inflow.
“My assumption of this office is with a mind of confidence, that we won’t betray the trust reposed in us by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) and the entire management of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“This confidence is premised on the reality that I am taking over a very organized command, where I intend to build on the successes of my predecessor.
“Let me (therefore) state unequivocally, that we shall implement all the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the Common External Tariff, import and export prohibition guidelines, and other books of instruction as directed by the FGN.
He pledged to initiate pragmatic changes needed to guarantee diligent and improved delivery, not only in revenue collection, and the onslaught against smuggling; but also, in trade facilitation and sustainable stakeholder engagement.
“I want to urge our officers to brace up for the changes that will feature as fallouts of customs modernization, otherwise called e-customs, AEO, and many other groundbreaking World Customs Organization innovations like the recently introduced advanced ruling policy.
“This will enable them to enjoy more gains of trading across borders in the global supply chain in line with the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), the WCO Supply Chain Management Guidelines, and the various national best practices”, Comptroller Olomu further said, emphasizing the Custom’s management total commitment, to evolving a more modern customs, with Apapa Port being the nucleus to the implementation of the many trade facilitation reforms, championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs.
“Our tolerance level for smuggling of prohibited items, concealment, and declaration for duty evasion shall be zero and shall remain so”, the new Customs Area Controller assured further.
