By Innocent Orok
Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba has assumes office as the new Area Controller of the nations premier port, Apapa Area Customs Command.
Comptroller Jaiyeoba who tookover officially on Tuesday from his predecessor , ACG Auwal Baba Mohammed hinted that he is aware that his assignment is not easy, but expressed high optimism to surpass targets and beat expectations.He disclosed that he came ready for the uneasy task of collecting all revenue due to the Federal government and promote a culture of compliance at the Apapa port.
Jaiyeoba who was, until recently Controller in charge of Oyo/Osun Command, solicited the cooperation of officers and port users to sustain the impressive revenue records achieved by ACG Mohammed while he served as Area Controller before his recent elevation to Assistant Comptroller General Technical Services at Customs Headquarters.
He made known to officers and port users that he is open to suggestions and support through an open door policy that will foster trade, prevent revenue leakages and suppress smuggling.
While handling over to Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, the newly appointed ACG who was the former Controller of Apapa Customs Command, Auwal Baba Mohammed disclosed that the Command collected over N676billion as revenue between January and August 2023. He urged officers of the command to rededicate themselves to service and surpass government expectations of them for revenue collection, prevention of smuggling and trade facilitation. He also applauded them for the feats they achieved together when he was the Area Controller.
ACG Mohammed disclosed that teamwork, diligence and zero compromise assisted in several revenue and other operational successes the command recorded under his watch .
He added that the Command collected it’s highest monthly and daily revenue in August 2023. According to him a total of N136bn was collected as monthly revenue in August, while N10bn was collected on 3rd of August 2023 being the highest monthly and daily collections in the history of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Meanwhile, Comptroller Jaiyeoba appreciated the Acting Comptroller General , Adewale Adeniyi MFR for the task with an assurance to build on the achievements of his predecessor in the area of revenue, trade facilitation, anti smuggling and promotion of customs community relations .
