Story by Dili Utomi.
The Lagos Free Trade Zone Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, a Command which is less than three years in operation and currently headed by the remarkably assiduous Comptroller Olanrewaju Abdulwahab Olumoh is growing in leaps and bounds.
The Command hosted the visiting Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General, SA Yusuf who went on an official working tour. The ACG and his entourage were warmly received by the CAC, Comptroller OA Olumoh and very senior officers of the Command. A colourful quarter guard was organised as a mark of honour to the ACG.
An interactive session was held in the Command’s conference hall, where the CAC of the LFTZ welcomed the ACG and his entourage to the Command. In his address, the CAC enumerated the achievements and progress of the Command since its inception and when he took over as the Area Controller.
In his opening remarks, Comptroller Olumoh said ” Since my assumption of office in April 2024, I have embarked on a familiarisation tour to all formations of the Command. Thereafter, we engaged with all our stakeholders in the Free Zones and Port. The turnout of the stakeholder engagement was impressive and we educated them more on the standard operating procedure (S.O.P) of Free Zones. The engagement also gave us the opportunity to discuss the advantages of the Free Zone and ways to make it more attractive for other investors to come in. We also addressed some concern issues and challenges faced by investors in the zones and port users. We encouraged them on the importance of high level of compliance in Customs Clearance Processes and assured them of timely release of Cargo without compromising Federal Government Fiscal Policy. All of these have significantly assisted in our achievements so far”.
In the area of revenue, he noted that from “January to July 2024, the Command generated the sum of One Hundred and Thirty Billion, One Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Two Hundred and Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Four Naira (N138,179,207,744.00) only as revenue as against the Twenty- Eight Billion Naira (₦28,000,000,000.00) generated same period last year. This is a surplus of One Hundred and Ten Billion Naira (N110,161,884,995. 00K) which is 393.4% increase in revenue collected from corresponding period of last year. We are committed to improving on this performance”.
In the area of inter-agency collaboration, the LFTZ Command seems to be trying its best in this regard. They have engaged in a robust inter agency collaborations with other sister agencies within the Command. They recently participated actively, in supporting supporting the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during their International Drug Free Walk Day where the CAC declared the event open. The have also participated in the decoration ceremony of other agencies, amongst other frequent engagements.
Comptroller Olumoh revealed that “The command was engaging robustly with stakeholders both in the Free Zone and the Port”. He reiterated that “The outcome of the stakeholder engagement organised recently by the command was impressive and during the engagement, we reassured stakeholders of the command’s commitment and zeal to make the Command user friendly”.
Furthermore, as part of the CGC’s effort to ensure a healthy work life for officers and men of the Service, the CAC mentioned that a Sick Bay was arranged for officers and men of the command and requested that the ACG officially commission it for use.
Comptroller Olumoh showered accolades on the various units of the Service like the C.I.U, Custom Police Unit and Post clearance Audit Unit for their cooperation. He profusely thanked ACG Yusuf for the visit for as he noted, “This will improve the morale of the officers”.
In his response, the ACG thanked and appreciated the CAC for the warm reception accorded to him and his entourage. He applauded the Command’s revenue records and encouraged officers to do more. The ACG further advised officers to build themselves and be knowledgeable in Customs procedures.
After the commissioning of the Sick Bay, the ACG and his entourage were also well received at the CHQ of the Lagos Free Zone. He also had a tour of Raffle Oil Enterprise facility and thereafter, he visited the Lekki Port and proceeded to Lekki Free Zone before departing from the Command.
The Lagos Free Zone Command currently has thirteen (13) Free Zones and a number of enterprises under it. Many of them are active while some are yet to take off with their operations. It is hoped that with the kind of firm hands as being exhibited by Comptroller Olumoh with his team and with the corresponding level of performance of the Command within these few years of its infancy, that it will continue to fulfill its potentials and help in opening up the nation’s economy and to generate more of the much needed funds.
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