By BON PETERS, Port Harcourt

It was pomp and pageantry at Onne Area 11, Customs Command in Rivers State as the out-going Area Controller, Comptroller Baba Imam, successfully handed over the mantle of leadership to his successor, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede.

The grand occasion which took place Friday witnessed the handing and taking over Parade in honour of the out-going Customs Area Controller and the in-coming Area Controller.

The Command had In attendance to witness the parade, various Commanders, Heads of Security Agencies and Stakeholders working in the Port Environment.

In his farewell address, Comptroller Baba Imam appreciated God for his mercy and Love, even as he also appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs, BA Adeniyi, for the opportunity given to him to serve as the Customs Area Controller of the Command.

Continuing, he extended same appreciation to all security agencies and stakeholders attributing the successes recorded in the Command to the improved synergy, intelligence sharing and cooperation he enjoyed while working with them.

Speaking further, Comptroller Imam noted that in the area of revenue, the Command set an unprecedented record in the history of the Command and the Service by generating in a single day, over N22 billion, adding that in the first three months of the year 2024 the Command had generated over N162bn which was more than the revenue generated from January to July (Seven months) in the year 2023.

Comptroller Imam emphasized that officers and men of the Command have been trained with the view to bringing attitudinal change aimed at enhancing trade facilitation in the Command.

Rendering his stewardship, he recounted some of the achievements made during his 15 months he was at the saddle of leadership as the Area Controller to include construction of a 110 seating capacity Conference Room with modern facilities, creation of a computer training centre with 50 computers to enhance capacity buildingworkshops and training in the Command.

He said both facilities were open for use by both Customs Officers and stakeholders who need them.

Addressing the officers and men of the Command, sister agencies and stakeholders, the in-coming Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, promised to sustain the cordial relationship already established in the Command with a view to improving the synergy, promising to operate an open door policy. “I will operate an open door policy just like the Out-going Area Controller and I employ all Officers and Men in the Command to give me their support as they continue their good work. This will help improve on the successes recorded with the aim to enhance revenue generation, value addition and suppression of smuggling,” he said.

Present at the occasion were representatives of NPA, NIMASA, Nigeria Police, DSS, NDLEA, Terminal operators, Customs Bonded Terminals, NAGAFF and ANLCA, among others.