PRESS RELEASE 14th FEBRUARY, 2019
In line with the reform agenda of CGC Col. Hammed Ali (rtd) on suppression of smuggling, the strategic development of man power and upgrade of the electronic system from Nigeria Integrated Customs Information system one (NICIS I) to (NICIS II) in other to boast revenue and block leakages. On the 22nd November 2018, the Customs Area Controller, Compt. Abba-Kasim Yusuf paid a visit to the Customs Processing Centre (CPC) facility in Ilorin International Airport and promised to upgrade the facility from NICIS I to NICIS II. To match words with action, the Centre is now wearing a new look, the NICIS I has been upgraded, 57 Officers, 11 Customs agents, several Banks representatives and other critical stakeholder were trained and they are all now NICIS II compliant.
He announced that for now, Ilorin Airport will remain the annex for all clearance processes pending the time the CPC will be installed in the Command’s Headquarters in Minna Niger State and Ilorin outstation in Kwara State.
Importers/Exporters of petty goods and agricultural produce are willing to pay duty and this upgrading of our system will reduce the process of clearing their goods; He said.
The CAC said the system has been designed in such a way that it has reduced the bottleneck the importers face as Clearing of goods will virtually be impossible without any means of identification and necessary documents.
The CAC thanked the management led by Col. Hammed Ali for this great feat; he declared that the Command is edging towards becoming a viable Command in terms of revenue generation. He promised that the Command will remain a safe heaven for stakeholders who are ready to do their legitimate businesses, as the Command will be ever ready to assist in trade facilitation.
While addressing Officers deployed for election duties at the Ilorin out station, the CAC advised officers to remain apolitical. He explained that the responsibility of Customs Officers is to compliment the Police and other security agencies in providing security during elections. He charged officers to carry out their duties without compromise, as anyone does contrary to this will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
LOMBA, B. O.
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: CUSTOMS AREA CONTROLLER
NIGER/KWARA/KOGI AREA COMMAND
08034603931