I HAVE NOT COME HERE TO WITCH-HUNT ANYONE, BUT THERE WILL BE NO ROOM FOR REVENUE COMPROMISE—D/COMPT ALUMANAH
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
Brand new Acting Controller of the Seme/Badagry Area Command, Deputy Comptroller ON Alumanah, has declared that there will be no room for revenue compromise, deliberate negligence or any practice that shortchanges the government.
In his inaugural speech while taking over office from ACG Kaila who announced a revenue of more than N27 billion in seven months, he said the command must make its contributions towards achieving and surpassing its assigned revenue targets.
‘I expect every officer to be diligent, proactive and committed to ensuring that all legitimate revenue due to the government is collected. We must block revenue leakages, prevent under-declaration and undervaluation, and ensure strict compliance with extant regulations’
Alumanah charged the officer to pursue revenue with determination, transparency, and accountability.
“Facilitating Legitimate Trade. Revenue collection and trade facilitation must complement each other. Our responsibility is not to frustrate legitimate businesses but to ensure that lawful trade is conducted efficiently, transparently and in accordance with the law. I expect officers to be professional, courteous and responsive in their dealings with traders, agents and other stakeholders. Unnecessary delays, intimidation, arbitrary demands and deliberate obstruction of legitimate trade will not be tolerated. We must understand that our role is not simply to collect revenue and enforce compliance but also to facilitate economic activities and contribute to national prosperity. Our objective must be enforcement without unnecessary obstruction and trade facilitation without compromising national security or revenue.”
“Discipline, Integrity and Professional Conduct. Discipline is the foundation of every successful organisation, and this Command will not be an exception. I expect every officer to respect the chain of command, observe established procedures, maintain punctuality and demonstrate professionalism in the discharge of assigned responsibilities. There will be no tolerance for indiscipline, insubordination, extortion, abuse of office, unauthorised absence or any conduct capable of bringing the Service into disrepute. Let it be clearly understood that nobody is above the rules. Rank, position, personal relationship or length of service will not exempt anyone from accountability. At the same time, I will ensure fairness, respect and equal treatment for all officers.”
“Cooperation, Teamwork and Collective Responsibility. I strongly believe that no Area Controller can succeed without the cooperation and support of the officers and men under his command. I therefore seek your loyalty, commitment and cooperation. I intend to operate an administration that encourages constructive engagement, professional contributions and mutual respect. We must put the interest of the Service above personal interests. There must be no unnecessary rivalry, division, unhealthy competition or deliberate attempts to undermine one another. Every officer has a role to play, and every role matters. I expect us to work together as one team, recognising that the success of this Command is a collective responsibility.*
“Collaboration with Stakeholders and Sister Agencies. I wish to particularly emphasise the importance of collaboration with our external stakeholders and sister security agencies. Given the strategic nature of Seme as an international border corridor, the success of our operations depends significantly on effective inter-agency cooperation and constructive stakeholder engagement. We must strengthen our working relationships with security and regulatory agencies, border communities, transport operators, licensed customs agents, importers, exporters and the wider trading community. No agency can effectively address the challenges of border management in isolation. We must therefore promote information sharing, intelligence cooperation, joint operational understanding and mutual respect. I expect all officers to maintain professional relationships with stakeholders without compromising the independence, authority or integrity of the NCS. Let me also make it clear that collaboration does not mean compromise. We must engage stakeholders positively, listen to legitimate concerns and resolve operational challenges professionally, but we must never sacrifice the law or the mandate of the Service for personal or external interests.’
“Avoiding Unnecessary Problems on the Job. I want to specifically caution every officer to be mindful of their conduct, decisions and interactions while performing official duties. Our job is sensitive and a single careless decision, compromise or unnecessary confrontation can create serious problems for an individual officer, the Command and the Service. Do not create problems where none exist. Do not allow greed, personal interests, familiarity or external pressure to compromise your official responsibilities. Avoid unnecessary arguments with stakeholders, respect operational procedures, document your activities appropriately and seek clarification whenever you are uncertain about an instruction or decision.”
“My position is simple; Do your job diligently, obey lawful instructions, follow established procedures and avoid anything that can put you or the Service into unnecessary trouble. I will always stand by officers who perform their duties honestly and professionally, but I will not shield anyone who deliberately engages in misconduct.”
“Modernisation, Innovation and Adoption of Global Best Practices. The NCS is undergoing significant transformation, and Seme Area Command must not be left behind. We must be prepared to embrace modernisation, technological innovation and evolving international best practices in Customs administration. I therefore expect every officer to demonstrate a positive attitude and willingness to adapt to new systems, technologies, operational procedures and innovative approaches to service delivery. The era of resisting change or holding on to outdated practices must give way to continuous learning, improved efficiency and professionalism. We must maximise the use of available technology in revenue collection, cargo examination, intelligence gathering, risk management, enforcement and trade facilitation. Officers must also be willing to acquire new skills, improve their professional competence and remain abreast of developments in modern Customs administration. Our operational approach must reflect global standards while remaining responsive to our local realities and national security requirements. We must benchmark our practices against international best practices and continuously seek better, smarter and more efficient ways of delivering on our mandate. Let me emphasise that modernisation is not the responsibility of Management alone; it requires the willingness, commitment and active participation of every officer. I will encourage innovation and continuous improvement, but I will not encourage resistance to positive change.”
“My Commitment and Expectations. As your Area Controller, I commit to providing purposeful leadership, direction and the necessary support to enable you to perform effectively. I will encourage hard work, recognise dedication, promote professionalism, support innovation and ensure fairness in the administration of the Command. However, I will demand results. I will demand accountability. I will demand discipline and, above all, integrity.”
“Our watchwords shall be:
Revenue generation without compromise.
Trade facilitation without unnecessary obstruction.
Enforcement without intimidation.
Discipline without favouritism.
Collaboration without compromise.
Modernisation without resistance.
Innovation with accountability.
Teamwork without division.”
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I have not come here to work against anyone. I have come to work with you, provide purposeful leadership and collectively move Seme Area Command forward. I believe this Command has the human capacity and operational potential to distinguish itself as one of the most effective and outstanding commands in the NCS. I am mindful that the task ahead is significant, but I am equally confident that, with God’s guidance, the support of the Management of the NCS, the cooperation of our sister agencies, the understanding of our stakeholders and the dedication of our officers and men, we can achieve even greater results. Let us make Seme Area Command a place where officers are proud to serve, legitimate businesses are confident to operate and the NCS can count on our performance. My leadership philosophy is simple: We will work hard, think smart, embrace change, uphold discipline and deliver results. I assure you of my commitment to this responsibility and I look forward to a productive and successful working relationship with all of you. May Almighty God grant us the wisdom, strength and guidance to discharge our responsibilities successfully. “Let me leave you with this: I am here to lead, not to intimidate; to support, not to encourage indiscipline; and to deliver results, not to negotiate standards. My door will remain open to genuine concerns, but the rules will remain firm. I therefore invite everyone to join hands with me as we consolidate the gains already recorded and work towards making Seme Area Command an even more efficient, disciplined, responsive and result-oriented Command. Thank you for your attention, your goodwill and your continued support”
In his valedictory speech, ACG Kaila said, ‘I am joyful because my service at Seme Area command has culminated in my elevation to the rank of Assistant Comptroller General of Customs and a member of the management of the service’
He thanked the Comptroller General for entrusting him with the confidence.