—Says it’s The Figment of the Author’s Imagination.
BY WARISO WARISO.
A Chieftain of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs to be Agents, and also the immediate past Chairman of Onne seaport chapter ( ANLCA) Chief Mike Ebeatu has lambasted his detractors over an alleged continued extortion of agents at Onne customs Command, describing the allegation as baseless, unwarranted, unfunded and figment of the author’s imagination of a publication by a faceless and unpopular Lagos based journalist.
Chief Ebeatu stated this in an interview with journalists in port Harcourt recently, said that he would not have wasted his precious time commenting on the issue, pointing out that as a critical stakeholder who has worked closely with the Area controller, Onne customs Area11 Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandele, he would not hesitate to put the records straight so that the agents, imposters, especially the gullibles and the general public would not be deceived by those he referred to as self-serving and naysayers who are hellbent on tarnishing the hard earned reputation, uprightness and integrity of Comptroller Babandele and his officers and men who have fought hard to reposition Onne customs in terms of Revenue generation, Trade facilitation, anti- smuggling, proper documentation and strict adherence to customs import and export procedures.
Mr. Ebeatu noted that the claim by National Compliance joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents ( NCJTFLCA) on allegations of continued corruption and mindless extortion at Onne port in Rivers State is ” baseless, unfounded, misleading and calculated attempt to disparage the good conduct, integrity, high ethical standards and robust trade facilitation created by the respected Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babandele Mohammed.
He maintained saying that” the Association is non-existent and existed only in the author’s figment of imagination aimed to gain cheap publicity and relevance. ”
According to him, Comptroller Mohammed Babandele on assumption of office as the Customs Area Controller, he sounded it loud and clear that the adherence and enforcement of fiscal policies and procedures shall be pursued vigorously and he immediately engaged all stakeholders and association at Onne seaport in an all inclusive interactive forum on a regular bases to drive home the need and importance of due process and compliance at all times ”
” The so called allegations is from faceless and briefcase association which doesn’t exist ” Mike Ebeatu summed up.
The stakeholders contributions and serious engagement have positively impacted on the operations of Customs Area 11 , Command Onne , under the able Comptroller Mohammed Babandele”
Ebeatu further stated that, ” the synergy built since he assumed office and constant collaboration with other sister government agencies at the ports, have given the command leverage over the non compliant recalcitrant agent even as such resulted in the mind boggling seizures of Arms and ammunition and unwholesome and illicit drugs worth millions billions of Naira recorded at the Command “, he said.
Speaking on revenue generation, Ebeatu explained that, ” the command has constantly surpassed its revenue target and am wondering why the Area Controller who has won numerous awards especially for his anti smuggling posture should be exposed to such public odium because somebody is looking for cheap popularity”.
His word, ” To foster and maintain the increasing high target of the command, the controller has given opportunities to diligent officers to aspire to greater heights as they go out of their ways to discover hidden items concealed by the dare- devil smugglers”
Chief Mike Ebeatu opined that the unassuming, pragmatic and result oriented Customs Area controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandele, has vigorously adhered to and enforced the policy trust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adewale Adeniyi MFR on revenue generation, trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling among others.
He used the medium to advise those complaining of increase in clearing tariffs to utilize a constructive engagement so as to Carry out their jobs, adding that Customs as a matter of policy trust adhere to the directives of the Ministry of finance on revenue collection.
