It is unarguable to say that many Deputy Comptrollers (DCs) may have come and gone in the course of pioneering the activities of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as Officers in Charge of the Federal Operations Terminal (FOT) Gate in Onne Seaport, Rivers State.
However, there were complaints of alleged exorbitant charges on 20 and 40 feet containers exit at the gate by some of the then Officers in Charge (O/C) of the exit Gate.
Some freight forwarders based on experience, further alleged that some of the then O/C Gate, even made it difficult for them (freight forwarders) to meet them in the office, but would rather refer them to a junior officer, whose decision on charges for the exit of containers would remain final.
This development according to freight forwarders has in turn, placed the burden of high cost of cargo clearance at the port on importers, which ultimately, trickles down to the final consumers in the country.
Today, the story is different at the Gate, courtesy of the emergence of Deputy Comptroller (DC) Ibrahim Mohammed. A quintessential Customs officer, who has grown from the ranks to where he is, today.
The cordial relationship that currently exists between DC Ibrahim Mohammed, freight forwarders and other relevant stakeholders operating at Onne Seaport, may not be unconnected to his years of service at the Customs Area II Command.
Having served as a former Staff Officer to a former DC in charge of the Gate, and being acquainted with some of the challenges at the gate, made it possible for him to address them now, as the O/C Gate.
The mutual understanding between the Customs officers at the Gate and the various stakeholders operating at Onne Seaport, coupled with the high level of transparency and huge revenue generation at the Gate, under the watch of DC Ibrahim Mohammed, speaks volumes on the need for continuity in administration.
The atmosphere of peace and productive service delivery by officers at the Gate to the stakeholders, were not achieved by magic, but through the mentorship quality of DC Ibrahim Mohammed that was brought to bear at the Gate.
As a well nurtured Customs officer, who strongly believes in the Policy Thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; DC Ibrahim Mohammed has continued to discharge his duty at the Gate without fear or favour.
His resilience, administrative prowess and respect for authorities, have made it easy for him to work according to the dictates of his boss, Customs Area Controller (CAC) Aliyu Alkali, Comptroller, Onne Area II Customs Command.
Despite the said relationship, DC Ibrahim Mohammed has continued to ensure that freight forwarders continually keep to the rules of engagement by making proper declarations, and exact duty payments, among others.
In ensuring total adherence to the aforementioned by stakeholders, DC Ibrahim Mohammed has continued to work in tandem with the vision of the CGC that calls for stakeholders engagement, ease of doing business and trade facilitation, among others.
While the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR and his management team must be commended for positioning DC Ibrahim Mohammed as the O/C of FOT Onne Area II Customs Command, it is expected that his wealth of experience over the years, will in no doubt, impact positively on the lives and career of the officers at the Gate and beyond.
*Comr. Blaise Tochukwu Elumezie*
_Publisher & Media Consultant Wrote In From PortHarcourt The Rivers State Capital._
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