Uba Garba Takes Over At Seme Customs Command

ZION Olalekan     |       

Nigeria Customs Comptroller, Mohammed Uba Garba, on Thursday officially took over the mantle of leadership as the new Customs Area Controller of Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

In a brief ceremony conducted at the Seme Customs conference room, Comptroller Mohammed Aliyu formally handed over the Command with the signing of the Handing and Taking over notes by both comptrollers.

In a press statement issued on Thursday by Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Saidu Nuruddeen Abdullahi, the outgoing Comptroller thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) for the opportunity given to him to serve and contribute his quota in the development of the nation. He promised to continue putting in more efforts at his new place of assignment and equally prayed for the success of his successor.

He disclosed that his tenure witnessed an unprecedented increase in revenue and seizures despite the numerous challenges.

According to him, between the months of March 2017 and August 2018, the command collected total revenue of over N8, 433,739,742.27 and also made 1,060 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N1, 040,911,899.32 in the period under review.

Furthermore, he said the command also seized over 39,950 x 50kg bags of rice which is equivalent to 66 trailer trucks. He further stated that over 28,000 bags of rice were sent to IDP’s as per existing Federal Government policy. In addition to that, 37 exotic vehicles were also confiscated. Also seized are various medicaments and other perishable items which were duly condemned and destroyed.

Aliyu stated that the Seme command has been given an international outlook; critical amidst them is the reclaiming of the Seme border customs land that has over the years been encroached on illegally by unscrupulous individuals without due process and approval “by sanitizing the gate way corridor. He also reduced the miscreants and touts called “Kelegbes” who infiltrated the border and hinders trade facilitation.

He further disclosed that the command blocked an illegal passage by building a wall to the joint border post to ensure border security.

In his remarks, the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba expressed his gratitude and prayed for God’s guidance on Aliyu in his new place of work.

He also reminded the Customs officers on the importance of discipline in the discharge of their duties. According to him, teamwork, commitment and dedication to duty is essential in achieving success towards moving the command to greater heights.

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