By Uzor Odigbo
The Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has affirmed that enlightenment of stakeholders and officers would top the command’s agenda for 2019.
The command also disclosed that it will also reel out the scorecard of its activities of 2018 to the public this Friday, as part of effort to access its performances.
Recall that the management of the Service in 2018 set aside a whooping annual revenue target of N354 billion for the command while N310 billion was also set aside for the command in 2017.
Public Relations Officer of the command, Uche Ejesieme, a Superintendent of Customs, in a chat on Wednesday noted that the final collation of 2018 scorecard has been concluded, adding that last year’s performance was quite impressive in terms of its operational activities.
Ejesieme maintained that there will be continuous sensitisation and educational programme for stakeholders on the need to adhere strictly to compliance and trade facilitation,which he stated would be the number one priority for the year.
“It may interest you to know that already in 2019, the command has hit the ground running and since on the 2nd of January because the Controller has already commenced engaging stakeholders and key officers of the command on how to perform better thus year.
“The essence of the meetings is to draw up a template and blueprints for the actualisation of whatever target the service will give the command.
“Our agenda for 2019 is to embark on training and retraining of our officers and stakeholders .
“Training that has to do with all aspect of customs operations.”
According to him, the command is eager to set an agenda for 2019, in a view to surpass achievements recorded last year.
While harping on the need for operators to adhere to compliance with the federal government policies on customs procedures and processes ,the spokesman stressed that areas of leakages would be another topmost priority ,noting the projection for 2019 would serve as a guide for the year.
“Basically, we are very desirous to ensure that we remain on top of our statutory function.
He noted that plans are afoot to put in place modalities to surpass achievements recorded last year ,pointing out the Area Controller, Comptroller, Musa M.B.A has been emphatic on the issue of compliance and trade facilitation.
