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| Mohammed Ndalati, Controller, Seme Command |
The new controller of the
Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Mohammed Ndalati,
on Friday declared zero tolerance for smuggling activities at the border area.
Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Mohammed Ndalati,
on Friday declared zero tolerance for smuggling activities at the border area.
In a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer,
Ernest Olottah, the controller promised to harness all available resources to
drive home his anti-smuggling goals and ensure that change was embraced.
Ernest Olottah, the controller promised to harness all available resources to
drive home his anti-smuggling goals and ensure that change was embraced.
“I will harness all available human and materials resources for customs
operations while bracing up to the realities of the peculiar nature of
Seme Command.
operations while bracing up to the realities of the peculiar nature of
Seme Command.
“This is the time of change, we must imbibe change. We must
exhibit it and show that we are change agents.
exhibit it and show that we are change agents.
“Manning the border must include behavioral management of persons.
The bottom line is that you have conquered the environment,” the controller
said.
The bottom line is that you have conquered the environment,” the controller
said.
He also promised to ensure that all revenue due the government was
collected in spite of the challenges around the border area.
collected in spite of the challenges around the border area.
“Constraints will not deter the command from delivering on its
responsibilities of revenue collection, fight against smuggling and
facilitation of legitimate trade,” he said.
responsibilities of revenue collection, fight against smuggling and
facilitation of legitimate trade,” he said.
Ndalati commended the Comptroller- General of Customs for the
various human capacity initiatives, which he noted had brought about a modernised
and improved status of the service.
various human capacity initiatives, which he noted had brought about a modernised
and improved status of the service.
”It is no longer the branded outdated and antiquated Customs and
Excise Department we used to know. In other words, professionalism is enhanced
and encouraged under the present regime,” he said.
Excise Department we used to know. In other words, professionalism is enhanced
and encouraged under the present regime,” he said.
The controller solicited the support and cooperation of all
stakeholders as he advised that importers and agents should keep Abreast of
government’s policies relating to import guidelines.
stakeholders as he advised that importers and agents should keep Abreast of
government’s policies relating to import guidelines.
He also urged that importers and agents should comply with the
Customs and Excise Management Act (amended).
Customs and Excise Management Act (amended).
According to him, all those who comply with the order would have
nothing to worry about while dealing with the customs.
nothing to worry about while dealing with the customs.
He however, vowed to match seizures with suspects as a way of
fighting smuggling.
fighting smuggling.
He was confident that the strategy would ensure that perpetrators
of smuggling activities are imprisoned when arrested and prosecuted.
of smuggling activities are imprisoned when arrested and prosecuted.
The controller used the occasion to advise those considering going
into smuggling to desist from attempting to do so.
into smuggling to desist from attempting to do so.
He urged the officers and men of the command to support him in the
course of duty to make the command succeed in managing its affairs.
course of duty to make the command succeed in managing its affairs.
He said that as much as they were concerned about managing goods
transiting the border they should also pay attention to effective control of
people.
transiting the border they should also pay attention to effective control of
people.
