The newly built Conference Hall and Training Centre in Area II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt, Onne, Rivers State, have been inaugurated.
The conference center has a 110-seat capacity while the training center has 40.
Delivering his welcome address at the inauguration of the projects on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Baba Imam said he was delighted to have the Assistant Comptroller General of the Zone Ag ACG Peter, heads of various military and Para-Military establishments, and other critical stakeholders grace the momentous occasion.
Comptroller Imam said the projects being commissioned were products of Corporate Social Services initiated by the command and supported by compliant and tractable stakeholders within the command.
According to the Area controller, when the command envisioned the idea of having a conducive training and conference center the stakeholders embraced the idea to make it a reality.
He said with the projects they have been able to keep both officers and stakeholders in the loop with the best international practices on import and export guidelines.
Imam said to sustain the synergy, and collaboration and to give a sense of belonging to their stakeholders, who transact legitimate business within the command, a sit-out was equally constructed for their use while conducting their businesses.
The Controller then seized the opportunity to publicly appreciate the stakeholders for their direct commitment to the successful execution of the projects.
He thanked the management of West Africa Container Terminal, Don Climax Bonded Terminal, Odest Bonded Terminal, and the Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents (Onne) chapter and also appreciated Prestige Bonded Terminal, Kingsoo Bonded Terminal, the international traders association, and other numerous Stakeholders, who came together and gave their necessary support and cooperation in achieving the infrastructural development.
To show the Area command’s profound gratitude to the stakeholders for their contributions, Comptroller Imam said that the command wrote them personal appreciation letters and that the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Ibrahim Hameed Ali (retired) sent them commendations and recognition letters that were presented to the stakeholders by the Zonal Coordinator, AG. ACG Peter.
Comptroller Imam assured that the facilities will be put to effective use and would be open for use to all stakeholders.
He said they should apply to his office for use and that the request would be granted if the purpose is established.
“The facilities are meant to serve as a morale booster to officers so that they will continue to be more productive in trade facilitation and revenue generation activities through training and meetings that will be conducted in the facilities, which in turn, enhance their performance and productivity.”
Comptroller Imam promised that the command would continue to initiate similar projects and remain at the forefront in the execution of such projects to ensure efficiency and efficacy in service delivery.
He said he will not relent to remind their stakeholders to continue to comply with the government’s extant laws on import and export, adding that customs was resolute and committed to trade facilitation as one of their cardinal mandates.
The controller also restated that legitimate importers and exporters will continue to have unimpeded access to him and his officers at all times.
“We shall consistently adopt mechanisms that will ensure the removal of bottlenecks associated with import and export.”