The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service now has a new Area Controller, he is Controller Musa M.B.A. He took over from Comptroller Bashar Yussuf who has been in the saddle for two years.
At a brief handing over ceremony which took place at the command in Lagos yesterday, the outgoing Comptroller Bashar says that Tin Can Port is now refined and more compliant to customs procedures because he literally conquered the Tin Can Island port.
He told stakeholders at the handing over ceremony that in his two years at the command, he was able to conquer the Tin Can port and collected N600billion revenue into Federal Government coffers.
Tin can port had in the past gained reputation for being the most notorious port in Nigeria where all kinds of illegal activities take place.
In line with the Customs Headquarters staff order, Bashar is now the Controller in charge of PAAR ruling centre in Abuja while his successor, Comptroller Musa prior to his appointment was Controller System Audit in Abuja.
Bashar said that Compt. Musa and himself were members of the 'Customs Tact Team' who started the process of Customs automation, they were the progenitors of Customs automation and procedures, especially the Pre- Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR)
"In the last two years, we were able to generate something close to N600billion, I urge the new controller to look at the revenue, but when he hit with the left hand, he should drag back with the right hand so that life will continue, I urge him to show compassion when dealing with issues, most especially our clearing agents community, because World Trade practice says they are importers' representative"
"If I were them, I will review my position in my business, you are importers' representatives but you don't know what is in the container, and if we find a container of arms, you will be the first we would pick, so please show compassion when dealing with them”
"Musa is an ICT officer per excellence, while we were at the headquarters, there were three of us, we were called the tact team because we can just create a scenario and it comes to pass, that was how the PAAR and electronic system in customs came along", he said.
He described the incoming Area Controller as an experienced controller, someone who loves near perfection, because according to him, there is nothing called perfect.
"I remind the incoming controller also that terminal operators are custodians of Customs containers, they do not know what is inside the containers, neither are they permitted by the law to open a container without customs express authorisation, when we arrested the guns sometimes ago, some people were asking us to arrest the terminal operator, but I said we would go for legal advice"
He appreciated all the terminal operators and clearing agents for their corporations and pleaded with them to extend the same hand of corporation to the incoming Controller.
"Tin can belongs to everyone of us and this is why the award is dedicated to everyone of us, next year we hope to have a bigger honors. I feel so honored and fulfilled leaving Tin can to go for another challenge to see it and conquer it, I have conquered Tin Can, I feel happy that we were able to transform the place" he said.
On his part, Controller Musa told the stakeholders who came to welcome him to extend the same hand of support given to his predecessor to him because he also intends to excel at Tin Can port.
He promised to run an all-inclusive administration with an open door policy.
Discussion about this post