DCC Nkeiruka Nwala has assumed duty as the new Acting Area Controller in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command
This is contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer in the area, ASC Yireabasi Ukpong, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Calabar on Saturday.
Nwala assumed duty following a formal handover and takeover ceremony held at the Customs House, Calabar.
Nwala, who holds a PhD, expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the Service for the confidence reposed in her.
The new acting controller described the command as strategically important, given its responsibilities across a major seaport, the Calabar Free Trade Zone, international border operations, and commercial corridors in Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
She said revenue generation and compliance, trade facilitation, border and economic security, as well as professionalism and partnership would be the four major priorities of her administration.
She pledged to strengthen revenue collection in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, encourage voluntary compliance, as well as facilitate legitimate trade.
She also said that the command would however, maintain firm enforcement against smuggling and other activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s economic and security interests, particularly along the Mfum-Ekok border corridor.
She called for stronger collaboration with sister government and security agencies, traditional institutions, the Nigerian Ports Authority, free trade zone operators, licenced customs agents, businesses and other stakeholders.
According to her, effective customs administration requires partnerships built on fairness, transparency, mutual respect, and strict adherence to the law.
Nwala acknowledged the contributions of her predecessor, Comptroller Momodu Giwah Dauda, and pledged to consolidate existing achievements while pursuing improved operational efficiency, stronger revenue performance and more responsive trade facilitation.
She also solicited the cooperation of officers, stakeholders, and host communities, assuring them of her commitment to integrity, legitimate trade facilitation, border protection and the safeguarding of Nigeria’s economic interests.
She reaffirmed that the command remained committed to effective customs administration and constructive stakeholder engagement across its operational areas.
