The CGC, Adewale Adeniyi commissioning the refurbished TCIP Customs Command Complex, while the Comptroller, Dera Nnadi (left) watches.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi has commissioned the remodelled Tincan Island Port Command Complex, describing the project as a testament of transformational leadership and teamwork.
The Customs building was built over 40 years ago without undergoing any renovation work until now.
In his remarks at the official commissioning of the remodelled three- wing TCIP Customs Command Complex in Apapa, Lagos, Tuesday, Adeniyi lauded the efforts of the Area Comptroller of the Command, Mr Dera Nnadi and his management team for transforming the moribund building to a modern and befitting office complex
The Customs boss specifically commended Comptroller Nnadi for his transformational leadership, even as he praised his management team for their team work and absolute dedication to duty.
Urging other Area Comptrollers to emulate Nnadi’s initiative by engaging stakeholders to drive transformational and impactful projects, the visibly elated Customs boss disclosed that he has nominated Comptroller Nnadi for an Award in the 2024 Service Award as an incentive and to gear others towards better performance.
“I want to commend Comptroller Dera Nnadi and all his men for the initiative of getting this done. When he told me about it, I never knew it was such a gigantic project. This is an award-winning project,”
“The award for the Nigeria Customs Service in 2024, which was supposed to have taken place two weeks ago, will now take place in two days’ time, and as Comptroller-General of Customs, we will not forget this project”
“I made it very clear on assumption of duty that one of my policy thrusts would be collaboration. I have ever since discovered that there is strength in complementing what we do and what we can do for each other.
“All of us bring different attributes to the table, and in a modern organization, we tap into the strength of each and every one of us. We ensure that we reduce duplication and optimize the resources we can get for maximum objectives.
“We have seen this worked out in several ways in the last one year. Our revenue generation is nothing but the product of deliberate collaboration with all our stakeholders. When we get intelligence about things that threaten our security, it is a product of collaboration. I am very, very happy with our officers in all the Commands because it is the same story I hear in Apapa, in PTML, in Airport, in Lekki; that we have created an environment that allows us to collaborate and work more effectively with other agencies of government.
“I am indeed very delighted about this. What we are seeing in Tin Can Island Command today is also a product of collaboration. Our stakeholders are now stepping forward to say they can help us improve the quality of our workplace. I am indeed very, very happy that what we have is a demonstration that collaboration pays.
“I acknowledge all of you, stakeholders, who have contributed to delivering this project. We are very happy with you and will continue to extend the frontiers of collaboration—not only in these kinds of spheres but also to deepen them in our operations to ensure that we deliver better service to our country.
“There are so many potentials for collaboration. Between us, Customs, and other agencies of government, the government is working on a single window to bring all of us into an automated platform that will allow regulatory oversight and operational generalization to be done in a very fast and efficient manner.
“To all other stakeholders; customs agents, terminal operators, shipping companies, all of us—the more we work together, the easier and more efficient we are going to be. So I, therefore, thank most sincerely all of you that have made this possible”, the CGC said.
Speaking at the occasion, Comptroller Nnadi, gave a short background of the TCIP Customs Command Complex, saying since the construction of the building in 1997, it has never enjoyed the privilege of any renovation.
“For decades, our officers have worked within this dilapidated and outdated infrastructure. Today, we witness a transformation that shows a future committed to service excellence.”
“This facility, though newly renovated, is still work in progress. By working together, we can sustain the high standards we have set for ourselves and ensure that Tin Can Island Port remains a symbol of excellence in customs administration
Nnadi also used the opportunity of the occasion to reel out other laudable feats achieved by his Command, particularly on revenue generation.
His words: “Tin Can Island Command achieved a revenue milestone in 2024, generating over ₦1.125 Trillion for the first time in its history. This represents a significant increase from the ₦639.7 billion collected as at November 2023.
“This remarkable feat highlights the dedication of our officers and the collaborative efforts with stakeholders. It reaffirms our commitment to maximising revenue collection for national growth.”
“We have also made tremendous progress in combating smuggling, with notable seizures of arms, unregulated pharmaceuticals, and other prohibited goods. These efforts underscore the command’s commitment to safeguard Nigeria’s economic and security interests, Comptroller Nnadi stated
