COMPT ONYEKA SAYS NO SMUGGLING CAN HAPPEN UNDER MY WATCH; AS TIN CAN COMMAND GETS N1.524 TRILLION REVENUE TARGET
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
It is now confirmed that the Tin Can Island customs command under the leadership of Compt Frank Onyeka is expected to generate at least N1.524 trillion this year as revenue. This is against N1.24 trillion raked in by same command last year.
Compt Onyeka who disclosed this today while hosting members of the League of Maritime Editors who paid him a courtesy visit, noted that, though, the service is more than before determined to facilitate trade, this will be done ‘without choking the business community as well as ensuring that we do not under-charge on duties’
With a N347.9 billion already generated in the first quarter of this year, he stated that the reason for the high revenue jump could be attributed to strict compliance level at the command.
‘We are very sensitive to trade facilitation, we try to sensitize the business community, encourage them and ensure we generate collectible revenue. As valuation officers, we will never under charge and we are not here to choke importers.
If we don’t apply the decency, it will be difficult to achieve trade facilitation which is one of our core mandates’
He announced a N120 billion revenue for the month of march, the highest ever.
The Customs helmsman noted that his sensitization efforts have put smuggling through the Tin Can port at zero-level, stressing that, having worked at the seaport for long, he has put into place water-tight measures that have nipped smuggling in the bud. ‘No smuggling can happen under my watch’ he deposed.
On the challenges posed by activities of some of the Terminal operators, he said sharp practices have been dismantled at those terminals with much scrutiny on transires. Onyeka explained that he dare not sign any documents he can not attest to its authenticity.
He said that terminal operators can not serve as a weak link in its operations, noting that they are constantly being counseled to upgrade their equipments to be able to carry out modern port operations.
The Area Controller also noted that with the issue of multiple alerts rested, the command is now coasting home with the best services to importers and the entire port operators, as one alert is now the in thing.
He sued for good collaborative partnership with the League of Maritime Editors in order to assist in achieving his mandate given to him by the Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
In her own speech, the President of the League of Maritime Editors, Mrs Remi Itie congratulated the Area Controller in his promotion and appointment. She enlisted the support of the League to make him succeed during his tenure at the command.