Tin Can Island Customs Beat COVID-19, Generates 31.7Billion in March 2020
Despite the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic on world trade and economy, the Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service was able to generate a total of N31,210,006,189, from all its activities in March 2020, as against N25,990,013,289.84, during the same period in 2019 , an increase of N5,219,992,904.96.
The development was attributed to the clear Road map that has been put in place by the Area Controller , Comptroller Musa Baba Abdullahi, for the actualization of his mandate,bearing in mind the enormous expectations from the Command ,as one of the epic areas for revenue generation.
According to a statement sent to our correspondent by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Uche Ujesieme, one of the strategies of the Controller, is the mobilisation of critical stakeholders, through series of roundtables and consultations, towards ensuring that trade facilitation is given a boost, in line with global best practices.
He said the Comptroller Musa at those parleys ,solicited the support of all parties in the Trade value chain,particularly on the issue of compliance, with the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal Government and the need to adhere strictly.
According to him, this includes the removal of all manner of bureaucratic bottlenecks and obstacles which might hinder access to information and intervention in critical areas.
He said this is exemplified in the open door policy of the Area Controller ,as well as the establishment of Trade facilitation and Dispute Resolution Platforms, for expeditious Resolution of Disputes, arising from the various transactions.
The PRO said the Command iS optimistic that all things being equal,the operational templates that has been put in place by the customs Area controller,will surely lead to monumental Revenue collection.
On the issue of the Global COVID-19 pandemic, he said the Command’s sensitization campaign on the subject,began with the news of the outbreak of the disease in Wuhan China in November 2019,following a circular from customs headquarters,which compelled customs commands to commence awareness and education on ways of containing the virus .
Ujesieme stated that following the report of the Index case in Nigeria,the Command began even more intensive and aggressive campaign,with the visit by the Zonal medical personnel of the service,led by Dr Bello,in collaboration with the Command’s Resident Medical personnel.
He disclosed that lectures were delivered on the safest measures which officers and stakeholders should adopt to keep safe, while participants were also advised to always maintain Social Distancing,use of Latex gloves,sanitizers and Regular handwashing,amongst other safety measures.
Beyond all of this,the Area Controller directed the erection of signages at strategic places in the Command ,that conveyed very salient information to stakeholders on additional measures that have been adopted to ensure the safety and health of our employees and other stakeholders.