Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’ Lagos
[dropcap] A[/dropcap]ssistant Comptroller General of Customs, Aminu Dahiru is the Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone ‘A’ Lagos; the zone that generates the largest chunk of revenue and also controls the busiest ports in the country. The Grassroots Publishers paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos where he restated their relentless efforts in fighting smuggling to the barest minimum. In this interview, the Sokoto state born officer bear his mind on the operations and strategies adopted in the zone to address several problems confronting the service. He also lauded the efforts of Grassroots Publishers in showcasing the activities of the zone. and urged them to continue the good work.
Excerpts:
Customs Zone ‘A’ based in Lagos is expected to generate 75% of the 1.3trn naira overall target of the service for the year 2018. How do you intend to achieve this target?
When I came on board, I ensured solidification of the structure by redeploying more competent officers to combat the incidence of smuggling of contraband goods into the system. These men have continued to redouble their efforts to ensure maximum revenue generation and reduction of smuggling activities within the Zone to the barest minimum. Infact, let me quickly state here that I’m pleased with our performance because so far in the first quarter input in percentage, we collected almost 90% of what was expected of us in our quarterly target because we collected N220, 884billion.” The innovation of NICIS2 in Nigeria Customs Service has enhanced our revenue generation which is evident in Tincan Island and PTML Commands. For example, records have shown that the highest collection ever in PTML was N10.6billion, while their monthly target is N10.2billion, but the good news is that in April we collected N10.8billion. Even the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ headed by Compt. Mohammed Uba Garba is not left out as he has strategically remodeled his operations to curtail the menace of smugglers and improve revenue generation in his command. Definitely by the time Apapa is hooked and MMIA, I believe from all indication we will surpass what we have done last year, because we almost collected what was expected of us last year in the first quarter, because where you collect 90%, I think that by the time we balance even that 10% will be met. There are also some silent areas like NIPOST we are trying to revive in order to increase the revenue generation of our Zone. So, we are hopeful we will surpass our target.
What is Customs doing to cub the frequent clashes between its officers and smugglers which often times have led to the killing of innocent lives and officers?
I want us to realize that we have rules of engagement and anybody following Nigeria Customs programs in the past 3 years will tell you that a lot of training took place within the period on arms handling, shooting and so on. Its not that those handling the arms do not know how to use it; the arms were given to them for the purpose of at least protecting themselves. Firing of arms is only done when an officer’s life is at risk, and it is usually done based on instruction from superior officers. Additionally, we engage in meetings with security agents, traditional rulers, and community leaders in border communities to sensitize them on the importance of providing us with useful information about smuggling activities ongoing in their vicinity. It may interest you to know that our movement timetable is out for us to revisit especially border areas to let them know that we are for their safety and not against them. I must state that it is unfortunate that the prosecution process of offenders is taking longer time because it would have served as a deterrent to others and those who intend to venture into smuggling. We are working assiduously to ensure that this occurrence is minimized by the grace of God.
What are the measures put in place to checkmate Customs officers on duty who cleared contraband goods at the points of entry into the country; or are they not well trained?
Well, that is where I think all hands should be on deck. I may decide to be good; another may decide to go against authority. I must tell you that in this dispensation, we have cases where a consignment is seized after investigation. I have a court section at Abuja for a case whereby Nigeria Customs is taken to court. Any erring officers cannot go scot free because the Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) led administration is determined to punish any officer found culpable in this act. The CGC made it clear that any officer found wanting would not only be dismissed but prosecuted.
Most people complain of Federal Operations Unit’s interception of already cleared consignments either on the highways or at their destinations. Is this practice right?
It takes two to tangle. Sometimes in this case, the importers contribute to this maybe by way of negligence. The truth of the matter is that if you make your investigation on this, you will find out that the compliance traders do not experience this because they have being into the importation of a particular goods for a long time and you have no doubt about any consignment coming from them. Even after thorough examination, the consignment will always prove genuity. So, if you profile those who complain about interception of their consignment, they are those individual importers whose importation are questionable and we have and we have our gallant intelligence officers who do justice to that. Just recently, information came to this office which led to the interception of a trailer load of tramadol from India. If these goods had into the country, what would have happened to our people? So, these are some interceptions people should not even complain of. I also want to point out clearly here that there is no situation whereby a container is interception and continued to be detained when there is no good reason for that. We release the consignment immediately if found okay after necessary examinations. The agents should always follow regulations in order to avoid such occurrences.
As the ACG, what steps have you taken to educate the grassroots who have taken smuggling as culture on the negative effects of smuggling to the national economy?
I think this is not only limited to the Zonal operators. It is an area I have special interest because there was a time we felt Customs Headquarters need to invite all the traditional rulers on this. So by so doing, the smugglers will come to realize that authority is there to watch what they are doing. At the same time, we encourage Area Commands particularly border stations on Customs Community Relations as a way of further enlightening host communities on the need to shun unlawful acts like smuggling that contravenes customs laws. Good community relationship will achieve better results, reduce casualty levels and increase revenue through lawful importation, exportation and manufacturing that will also create employments. We shall continue to be resilient towards delivering our mandate.
What challenges is your zone facing?
Well, at the seaports Scanning machine is one issue that is bothering us, not only Customs, all stakeholders from the importer to agent everybody concerned is affected. We have been saying it that if items were to be scanned not necessarily subjected to physical examination it will facilitate trade and quick clearance of goods. Unfortunately almost all our scanners are grounded and what I can tell you concerning that is we are only waiting for information from headquarters. Waterways are one area that has been giving us problem because of poor logistics supply. We need more sophisticated arms because smugglers in the water are more dangerous than those on land. I have visited Western Naval Command in the view of inviting them to cooperate with us so that we can achieve our objectives in that area and a lot of seizures were made, particularly of petroleum products because it seems as if two major items that are being smuggled in our waterways are petroleum products and second hand clothing. Not only is the Navy behind us, but Nigerian Army and other sister agencies. We are working hand in hand, the last time the highest seizure ever in the history of Federal Operation, illicit drugs was made; we invited NDLEA and handed it over to them. This zone has vast borderline starting from Seme to Idiroko through Shaki up to Kwara State, we need very strong vehicles to discharge our enforcement functions. Stopping the smuggling of rice and vehicles through the border has been one task we are serious about and not resting on our oars to fight it head-on. Officers’ welfare is another challenge because the last time I tried to access the number of officers in this zone, they up to 7,000 if not more. We have 16 Area Commands under this zone excluding zonal office. We have Apapa, Tincan, PTML, Airport, Seme, Ikorodu, FOU, Zone ‘A’, Training College, Western Marine, Ogun, Oyo/Osun, Ondo/.Ekiti and so on. So, all these commands require proper welfare for effective operation.
Finally, how would you describe the Nigeria Customs Service of today under Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) leadership?
In the Col. Hammed Ali (rtd) led administration, Nigeria Customs have been reformed positively; in revenue collection, seizures, capacity building, welfare, and above all discipline by retirement, transfer and even prosecution as the case maybe. He is a man who has come to change Customs for good. He is a father who is always there for you. Whenever someone looks from headquarters, you have the support of the leadership, the sincerity of their actions. When he says something, he will go ahead and do it, it may take some time, but definitely, it will be done. So, we are on the same page with him and we pray that God will continue to inspire him to do more for Nigeria Customs Service.
