Comptroller Olomu Takes Over Apapa Customs Leadership, Pledges Robust Stakeholders Engagement

Comptroller Olomu Takes Over Apapa Customs Leadership, Pledges Robust Stakeholders Engagement

Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba has handed over the reigns of Apapa Area Command to Comptroller Babatunde Olomu following his retirement after 35 years of meritorious service.

In a handover ceremony held at the Command Headquarters on Monday, 6 May 2024, the Outgoing Customs Area Controller, Babajide Jaiyeoba, appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for considering him worthy to steer the affairs of Apapa Area Command.

He acknowledged the support of officers and men, attributing the command’s achievements to teamwork.

He said, “When I assumed office in September 2023, the assurances of support I received from officers and men on the ground strengthened me. I can boldly say all we achieved during my period are products of teamwork”.

“Between January and April 2024, the Apapa Command of NCS collected N672,172,624,033.03 as revenue for the federal government. We have set the ball rolling for the actualisation of our target, and the officers I am leaving behind are focused on this. My optimism is not misplaced because we have all proven to be tested and trusted”. He stated.

He explained that the command in April 2024 alone generated N182 billion, a record-breaking monthly collection in the history of the service.

Comptroller Jaiyeoba also acknowledged the cooperation of sister agencies and stakeholders. “We jointly worked to achieve our individual, organisational goals and collective interest of making Apapa port import and export friendly without undermining national security”.

The outgoing CAC solicited maximum cooperation from the incoming Customs Area Controller, describing him as a team player and result-oriented officer.

On his part, Comptroller Olomu promised to build on the successes of his predecessor.

He pledged to promote a robust customs community while also implementing all provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the Common External Tariff, import and export prohibition guidelines and other instruction books as directed by the Federal Government.

He said, “While promoting a robust customs community relation system with regular interface with all government and private sector stakeholders, I shall upscale our enforcement with intelligence to ensure that only legitimate trade is allowed in Apapa Port and all the terminals within the command. Our tolerance level for smuggling of prohibited items, concealment and declaration for duty evasion shall be zero and shall remain so”. He added.

Stakeholders appreciated the outgoing CAC for standing by agents and facilitating cargo processes while pledging their support for Comptroller Olomu.