A seasoned officer of the Nigeria Customs reputed for discipline and versatility on the job, Comptroller AM Ibrahim takes over the leadership seat at the Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Command Lagos amid jubilation among officers and men and the business community
By Innocent Chukwu
On Tuesday, January 24, 2023, a remarkable history was made at the Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Customs Command, Lagos. The event was the reception of the PTML Customs Command’s new Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller AM Ibrahim and sent forth of the outgone CAC, now acting Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Suleiman Bomai, as well as the formal hand over of the mantle of leadership of the command from Bomai to Ibrahim.
Though many officers of the PTML Command felt sorry that acting ACG Bomai was leaving the command as its CAC, they were yet consoled by two realizations. One, Bomai had been elevated to a higher rank that qualifies him to be a member of the management team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Secondly, their realization that the senior officer who is branded as one of the finest officers in the modern history of the NCS, who parades a reputation of rare expertise in the three most critical areas of the service-Administration, Enforcement and Revenue generation-Comptroller Ibrahim, was to lead the command thenceforth.
The handover ceremony was a mixed bag of emotions though, however, joy and celebration were to prevail due to the trajectory of excellent performances that trail the path of Comptroller Ibrahim in the service. Hence, his assumption of office as the substantive Area Controller of PTML Customs Command that Tuesday became momentous and remarkable.
There is a wide belief by officers and men of the service at PTML that the leadership of the command by Comptroller Ibrahim will change many narratives in relation to transformative leadership acumen, unparalleled anti-smuggling zeal that will all result in unprecedented increase in the command’s revenue collection.
Before he was promoted to Comptroller rank late last year, Ibrahim’s antecedents at the Onne Port Customs Command, Rivers State had given him an edge over his contemporaries in administration, Enforcement and revenue generation. Within a few months last year, Ibrahim as the Deputy Comptroller in charge of the hitherto notorious Onne Port Gate, had sanitized the port to the an extent of mounting a watertight security and surveillance at the gate which brought to a halt all the shenanigans that characterized business activities at Onne Port.
The sanity which Ibrahim brought to bear at the Onne Port Gate resulted in saving the nation billions of naira on monthly basis that would have been lost to unpatriotic business people. Consequently, in 2021, the Onne Port Customs Command was able to double its monthly revenue collection.
In appreciation of then DC Ibrahim’s noble achievement at Onne Port, as well as his loyalty and patriotism, the Comptroller General of the NCS, Col. Hammed Ali (retd) had honoured him (Ibrahim) with an “Award of Merit” duly signed by the CGC Ali himself. Confirming the Award of Merit conferred on Comptroller Ibrahim by the CGC at the handover occasion, acting ACG Bomai had said, “Ibrahim is an administrator, he has been in the Administrative Unit for 10 years. He is also a revenue and Enforcement guru. I have no doubt he will double and improve on what he met on ground”.
But talking to the officers on behavior, Bomai said, “Let me give you an expo; the man (Comptroller Ibrahim) coming in is a disciplinarian. Resume duty on time so that you will not call me to come to your rescue when you are disciplined. The CGC gave Ibrahim an Award of Merit duly signed by the CGC himself. The records he (Ibrahim) left on ground at Onne and Tincan Island Ports are envious”.
While handing over a reception plaque and the flag, the symbol of authority to Ibrahim, Bomai said, “PTML is a modern port, you’re coming to a port where they operate security and safety at international level. I have not witnessed any incidence since I came to the command.
“Our strategic partners – the security agencies – are our friends. I have earlier on handed over to the most senior DC, but I will hand over this flag of authority to you. As I hand you this flag, a symbol of authority and trust, I want you to especially double the command’s revenue for the year 2023”.
Acting ACG Bomai described Comptroller Ibrahim as a versatile officer and urged all officers and stakeholders of the command to give him maximum support. Bomai said the customs management under Ali has achieved improvement of personnel welfare, NCS automation, and continuous training of the officers and men which had been expressed in the CGC securing slots for the NCS officers at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos Plateau State, the National Defence College, Abuja, the Nigerian Army War College, Jaji, Kaduna, as well as the NCS Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja which is for all customs officers.
Responding to the accolades and eulogies poured on him by both senior officers and critical stakeholders of the command present at the occasion, Comptroller Ibrahim who became overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of all and sundry at his coming to the command, pledged to work hard to attain higher ideals and achieve greater successes than he met on ground.
Jovial, cheerful, friendly and highly accommodating, the soft-spoken Comptroller Ibrahim said it was time for everybody to brace up to the reforms he will introduce. He begged the officers and the business community to embrace discipline and good behaviour so that together they can move the command to higher heights. However, Ibrahim was emphatic on discipline on the part of the officers. Comptroller Ibrahim: “We refer to acting ACG Bomai as our professor in the service. We understand the magnitude of the responsibility on you now as an ACG. We pray that for this new office of ACG Bomai you will excel.
“For you my officers, I want you to imbibe discipline so that we can achieve double of our revenue. Rededicate yourselves and work very, very hard because there is no reason for us to fail. The management has given us everything to succeed – welfare, training and all. Therefore, we have no reason to fail.
“Discipline is the key to other virtues of productivity such as honesty, punctuality and dedication to duty”.
Comptroller Ibrahim also expressed confidence in higher achievement, but also solicited for the co-operation of terminal operators, importers, agents and other stakeholders in achieving the service’s objectives in revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and trade facilitation.
In 2022, the PTML Command generated revenue of ₦229.4 billion with an increase of five billion from the ₦224.46 billion it generated in 2021.
