Amaka Obiefuna.

A former Customs Zonal Coordinator, Zone “A”, Assistant Comptroller-General Charles Edike said the zone has generated N1.60 trillion from all formations in South West Nigeria between 2015 and 2016.

Edike made this known in Lagos while handing over to the new Zonal Coordinator of Zone “A“, Assistant Comptroller-General Monday Abueh.

The Assistant Comptroller-General attributed the achievements to all customs comptrollers and officers who made it possible to achieve tremendous revenue for the Federal Government.

“I am specially appreciating our Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Alli, for giving me and some officers under me the privilege to participate in raising revenue for government.

Mr Edike made some changes last year which brought the new changes which had brought huge revenue for government.

“I appreciated all sister agencies and other government agencies such as the Nigerian Shippers` Council (NSC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) all the terminal operators for their support and all maritime journalists for the timely information which had supported our achievements.

Media Appreciation
He urged the media to triple the support they had rendered to him during his tenure, adding that as “they do this; they are supporting the comptroller-general of Customs as well as the Federal Government”.

In his response, Abueh said he was not surprised about the tremendous achievements of his predecessors, adding that Edike had built enough capacity to deliver excellent services.

According to Abueh, “ Zone `A ` is very important to the service’’.“If Zone A fails, it is like the entire Customs Service has failed and this is why the management usually redeploys sound minded officers to the zone.’’ “Posting of officers is a normal exercise that goes on at all times.“I am expected to improve on the successes that had been recorded in Zone `À’ and that I promise to do.

“Importantly, we cannot succeed on our own because Customs officers work with intelligence, which are being provided by the Nigerian public and members of the press. “I will plea for the media support to enable us generate more revenue and tackle security issues in the county.

Government Regulations
“The new government regulation has banned the importation of vehicles and we are assuring that no single vehicle will come into the country”, Abueh said.

He urged the media to sensitise Nigerians on the local rice available in the country. Abueh said that he would operate an open door policy for people to come at anytime to support him with information to move the service forward.