ONNE CUSTOMS: ADIGUN ORDERS TOUGHER MEASURES AGAINST REVENUE LEAKAGES, URGES OFFICERS TO DELIVER RESULTS
Onne Customs: Adigun Orders Tougher Measures Against Revenue Leakages, Urges Officers to Deliver Results
By Babatunde Aremu
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji L. Adigun, has called for improved operational efficiency, stronger discipline and enhanced revenue generation, urging officers and men to demonstrate greater commitment to the Nigeria Customs Service’s mandate.
Adigun made the call during a welcome parade organised in his honour following his assumption of leadership at the Command.
He expressed appreciation to Almighty God and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a responsibility that demands dedication, integrity and purposeful leadership.
The Acting Controller assured personnel of his commitment to fairness, accountability and professionalism, stressing that the success of the Command would require the cooperation and collective contributions of all officers, regardless of rank.
He urged officers to strengthen teamwork, promote mutual respect and embrace collaboration in order to improve operational performance and achieve the Command’s objectives.
Addressing revenue generation, Adigun charged personnel to intensify efforts towards meeting the Command’s annual revenue target, noting that the confidence placed in the Command must be reflected in tangible results, increased productivity and accountability.
He specifically directed officers to strengthen documentary verification and cargo examination procedures to prevent revenue losses.
According to him, particular attention must be paid to tariff classification, cargo valuation, quantities, applicable duties and other statutory charges to prevent under-valuation, false declarations and documentation irregularities.
He warned that negligence and deliberate violations of established procedures would undermine revenue collection and the overall performance of the Service.
On operational conduct, Adigun declared punctuality, accountability, respect for constituted authority and strict adherence to official procedures as essential requirements for every officer.
He maintained that the reputation of the Nigeria Customs Service depends not only on its revenue achievements but also on the integrity, transparency and professionalism demonstrated by its personnel.
The Acting Controller further emphasised that effective revenue collection must be balanced with trade facilitation, ensuring that compliant businesses enjoy seamless operations while government revenue is adequately protected.
He urged officers to sustain the achievements recorded by his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Aliyu Alkali, while working together to overcome operational challenges confronting the Command.
Adigun also promised an open-door leadership approach, encouraging officers to communicate their concerns and contribute constructive ideas towards improving service delivery.
He assured personnel that reasonable and service-oriented suggestions would receive attention, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in building a more efficient and productive Command.
