…As New Edifice is declared award winning project by CGC Adeniyi
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Area Controller of TinCan Island Port Command (TCIP), Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Dera Nnadi has again won the heart of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, with his unique initiative of contributing his quota for a better optimal Service to the Federal Government.
Comptroller Nnadi, known for his personal niche of achieving unprecedented successes in any command he is entrusted with, has set the pace in making a landmark achievement in the history of TCIP Command with the unveiling of a newly renovated office complex and other facilities.
Speaking at the commissioning of the renovated edifice on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, CGC Adeniyi commended Comptroller Dera Nnadi and his Men for the outstanding initiative of making the project a reality and declared the structure an award winning project.
He equally dedicated the commissioning of the project to the glory of God and better optimal Service to the Federal Government of Nigeria and also attributed the feats to all Stakeholders operating within the TCIP Command terrain.
According to him, “The structure is an award winning project and I commended Comptroller Dera Nnadi and his Men for the initiative of getting this done. The awards for the Nigeria Customs Service in 2024 will take place in few days time and as the CGC, we will not forget this project. I will also like to dedicate this to the glory of Almighty God and the provision of a better optimal Service to the Federal Government”.
Speaking on the positive impact of mutual collaboration, the Customs Chief stressed how strategic partnership has drastically reduced duplication and optimized the resources that can be derived for maximum objectives.
He said, “We have seen the strength of complimenting each other, this has worked out in several ways in the last one year. Our revenue generation is nothing but the product of a deliberate collaboration with our Stakeholders, when we get intelligence, security, it is a product of collaboration. I’m happy that our officers in all the Commands are creating environment that allow us to collaborate and work more effectively with other agencies of government and I’m delighted about this. What we are seeing here today is a product of collaboration as Stakeholders are now confident to help improve the quality of our space. This is a demonstration that collaboration is key”.
The CGC also hinted that Federal Government is working on a single window to bring all Stakeholders into an automated platform that will allow regulatory oversight and operational duties to be done in a very faster and efficient manner.
Speaking further, CGC Adeniyi recognized the immense contributions of all retired Senior Officers, the pioneers of the Success Story of Nigeria Customs Service, saying , “I will like to commend a Senior Customs Officer who retired at the rank Comptroller in Customs, ICT Unit, he provided a link between present NCS and past generations, Comptroller Ogunjemite. I appreciated his efforts and other retired Senior Officers for being a wonderful bridge builder, contributor to the success story of NCS”.
Earlier in his address, Comptroller Nnadi disclosed that since the inception of TCIP Command in 1977, no major renovation has been undertaken to update and modernize the office complex.
“For decades, our officers have worked diligently within the confines of outdated infrastructure, and today, we witness a transformation that will no longer be just a reflection of the past, but a symbol of the future – a future that is modern, efficient, and committed to service excellence”.
This renovation, according to him, goes beyond mere aesthetics or upgrading physical infrastructure; it is a clear statement of intent that reinforces the CGC’s policy focus on Collaboration, Consolidation, and Innovation, which reaffirms commitment to improving working conditions, enhancing operational efficiency, and providing a conducive environment for the Command’s officers and stakeholders alike.
“A well-maintained office complex ensures that we continue to provide exceptional service and achieve greater results in our core functions of revenue generation and trade facilitation,” he added.
While speaking on the remarkable revenue recorded by the Command as at November 2024, Comptroller Nnadi announced that a total sum of One trillion, One Hundred and Twenty Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Forty-Four Million, Three Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Forty Nine Naira Sixty Kobo, (₦1,125,744,318,049.60) was raised.He informed that the feat is a significant leap from the Six Hundred and Thirty Nine Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty Five Million, Six Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Fifty Five Kobo (N639,665,622,978.55) collected as at November 2023.
In his words, “It is important to note that our work here at TinCan Island Port goes beyond infrastructure; we are deeply committed to the economic growth of Nigeria. In 2024, under the leadership and guidance of the Comptroller General of Customs, our Command has made remarkable strides in revenue generation. We are proud to announce that for the first time in history, Tincan Island Port has generated over ₦1,125,744,318,049.60 (One trillion, One Hundred and Twenty Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Forty-Four Million, Three Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Forty Nine Naira Sixty Kobo) in revenue—an exceptional feat that highlights the dedication and hard work of our officers.
“This achievement is a significant leap from the ₦639,665,622,978.55 (Six Hundred and Thirty Nine Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty Five Million, Six Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Fifty Five Kobo) collected as at November 2023.
“The success recorded in our revenue drive reflects not only the diligence of our officers but also the collaborative efforts with other stakeholders. It is a testament to the positive impact of our policies and reforms, and it reaffirms the Service commitment to maximizing revenue collection for the growth of our nation.
“In addition to our successes in revenue generation, is that we have continued to make significant strides in enforcing compliance and tackling smuggling activities. We are all witnesses to the seizures of various quantities of arms, unregistered pharmaceutical and psychotropic substances and other Un-customs goods. Our achievement in this direction further underscored our commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economic and security interests.
“These seizures not only demonstrate the vigilance and dedication of our officers but also highlight our unyielding commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s borders. We recognize the importance of preventing the inflow of harmful goods and ensuring that all imported items meet the legal and regulatory standards.
“This renovation is a direct result of or officers efforts, and I commend you all for your service to the nation.As we celebrate this achievement, I also want to acknowledge the crucial role played by all our stakeholders—importers, clearing agents, shipping companies, and everyone involved in the operations at Tin Can Island Port. I ask for your continued support in maintaining a habitable environment within this complex. A clean, safe, and well-maintained office space is essential for the continued success of our operations, and I urge all stakeholders to respect the rules and guidelines surrounding this complex, so we can sustain the positive atmosphere that this renovation has created,” he maintained.
On his part, a notable personality closer to centenarian, Rtd Comptroller Joseph F Brigue commended the Comptroller General of Customs for his proactive move towards uplifting Customs’ retirees.
Rtd Comptroller Joseph who was part of the Success story of the current NCS, is a lawyer, and a pastor born in Ugeli, Delta State in 1933.
He started his education earlier at age 14, at Government College Ugheli, graduated in 1956 and joined the Nigeria Customs Service on the 1st of September 1956 where he rose to the rank of Comptroller in 1978.
The senior officer became the first Controller of the Customs Training College as the controller training and staff development. He was one of the pioneer instructors that taught preventive officers on technical aspects of the service operation at the merging of revenue and preventive departments of the Service. The likes of the former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar passed through him. He was transferred from the CTC to Tincan Island Port Command in May 1982 till 1984. He voluntarily retired from NCS in March 1986.
The event was in three phases-commissioning of quarter guards, Customs Police and the newly renovated structure; and was graced by notable personalities including CP Maikaba, Commissioner of Port Police Command; TinCan Island Port Strategic Commander of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, Executive Director SIFAX, Tobi Afolabi, ANLCA, APFFLON, NAGAFF, Bonded terminals, Joseph dam terminals, African logistics representative among others.
