Zonal Co-Ordinator Zone “A” of the Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Eporwie Charles Edike, while rounding off the year within the zone, delivered a message of appreciation from the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC  Col. Hameed Ali Ibrahim (rtd), to all officers and men of the Service for their efforts and hard work.

Notwithstanding the economic downturn and financial crunch ravaging businesses, the CG, Edike revealed, was happy with all officers who worked tirelessly to ensure that maximum revenue accruing to the federal government was collected into government coffers.

Noting that the biggest cargo terminal, (the APM terminal in Apapa port complex in Lagos)  which used to be over 70% occupied by cargo was more than 65% empty this year, revenue drive within the zone in 2016, he said, remained impressive.

Addressing officers in Lagos, Edike said “The CGC and the entire Customs Management Board, appreciate your efforts and dedication to duty. The CG commends your efforts but ask that we remain vigilant. He wants us to double our efforts. He believes we can do more because what we have done/achieved is not our best”.

On how to do more Edike disclosed the request of the CG thus:

“This is not your best, there is room for improvement. Let us bring in greater commitment, dedication, resilience, zeal and passion to excel. You must fire with all cylinders to achieve more by being professional, disciplined and alert. While your efforts are appreciated, there is much more that is expected from you because you have the capacity to do more. The resources, tools/equipment you need have been given to you, use them efficiently for better results”

Urging all Customs officers to remain vigilant and be watchful, the CG condemned the importation of banned items into the country by unpatriotic citizens. He called for the arrest and prosecution of any importer who brings banned items into the country under any guise.

“National security cannot be compromised. We must be ready and alive to our responsibility of protecting our people from evil importers. Their efforts must be thwarted and they must be arrested and sent to jail”, the CG said.