HOW D/COMPT ADEWOLE’S COMMAND CONTRIBUTES TO NATIONAL SECURITY, REVENUE GENERATION WHILE STEMMING CROSS BORDER SMUGGLING
The Customs command in charge of Oyo and Osun states occupies a strategic importance for obvious reasons. It commands a sizeable revenue for the service as well as as serves as an enforcement command , all rolled into one.
One of the very expansive smuggling/border corridors with villages and towns that are largely patronized by importers, exporters and elements who are fond of cutting corners, inorder to evade payment of import duties. But in the last nine months, the new helmsman at the command has given the economic saboteurs a run for their loots. He has literally locked down the dark spots in the area where smuggling hitherto thrived.
In same manner, the command has has taken census of all companies domiciled within its jurisdiction, to ensure appropriate revenue due to the government is promptly remitted.
Wale Moses Adewole, the acting Comptroller of the command, well suited to confront challenges, has continued to launch a monthly high revenue accrued to the command since he came on board. Something unique here is that the command has a dual role of a revenue generation, as well as an enforcement command.
None of the roles is leaking under this Customs Area Controller. But, he is a seasoned customs enforcement expert to the core, running into more than two decades, yet he has added another feather to his credit, as a revenue officer.
The Oyo/Osun command under his stewardship is currently coasting home with an average monthly revenue of about N70 billion. Adewole is of the view that the current revenue drive reflects the command’s sustained commitment to effective revenue collection, trade facilitation, stakeholders’ engagement and the deployment of appropriate strategies towards improving compliance.
Since he mounted the saddle, he has toured round the various Blue chip firms in the two states to see things for himself. He is not an armed chair administrator that warns his office seat every day, leaving his men to do the job.
He is on the field to ensure that what is quoted on documents reflects what is on ground, thereby ensuring that every kobo due to the government does not develop wings.
His anti-smuggling operations are intelligence-driven, and he has proved to be on top of his game. No prohibited item escapes the eagle eyes of the officers. A visit to the command brings to the fore the quantum of seizures recorded monthly. It increases by the day.
Seized products in their custody are varied; namely foreign parboiled rice, dangerous drugs, including cannabis sativa, tramadol, several bales of second hand clothing, used dainty cars as well as several used tyres. Premium motor spirit (PMS) made the list as several kegs are intercepted.
Based on intelligence, the command intercepted several yards of Nigeria police Force Camouflage uniform fabric, several containers of corrosive and mercury, Arms and ammunition (pistols, pistols magazines, pump Action magazine and 60 Detonating cards)
Announcing a N4 106,951,689.00 worth of seizures of recent, Adewole said the corrosive and mercury, a hazardous chemical substance pose serious risk when improperly handled, stored or transported.
‘The uncontrolled movement of such materials can expose members of the public to risks of fire, explosion, injury, property damage, and in some circumstances, loss of lives’
Those interceptions demonstrate the vigilance, professionalism and commitment of our officers and men, as well as the importance of intelligence driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies.
Adewole is paying serious attention to items that have implications for national security and public safety, while ensuring that legitimate businesses and law abiding members of the public are not impeded.
Ten months running into his administration at the command, Deputy Comptroller Adewole has so far stabilized the Area , shored up monthly revenue generation, while stemming the tide of cross border smuggling.