House of Reps Committee Praises Comptroller Babandede’s Leadership

House of Reps Committee Praises Comptroller Babandede’s Leadership

By Our Correspondent

The House of Representatives Committee on Customs paid a visit to the Onne Port in Rivers State, where they commended the leadership of Comptroller Babandede for the zone’s commendable performance. During the visit, the committee identified challenges hindering the port’s efficiency and pledged to address them. The lawmakers’ assurance is expected to bring relief to stakeholders and enhance the overall operations of the port. Comptroller Babandede’s efforts were lauded, and the committee’s commitment to resolving issues is seen as a positive step towards improving trade facilitation and revenue generation at the port.

Hon. Leke Abejide, Chairman of the House Committee on Customs, praised the Onne command’s outstanding performance in revenue collection, anti-smuggling operations, and interagency collaboration, noting significant seizures made shortly after assuming duty

In his words, Leke Abejide stated that, “We singled out Onne because after Apapa and Tin Can, Onne customs command is the biggest, so we decided to take our time to scrutinize it so that we can actually know what is going on here.”
“We are satisfied with what we saw because despite the challenges they are facing, such as lack of accommodation, operational vehicles, and adequate scanners to do their work diligently, they are surpassing their yearly revenue target.
“In short, I will give Comptroller Babandede 99 % if I were to score him.”
“You saw how he was applauded by other members of my team.”
“Comptroller Mohammed Babandede has surpassed the first quarter revenue target, and I know at the end of the year, the command will definitely surpass the 2025 revenue target.”
“On anti-smuggling, I am very satisfied with him because of the number of seizures he has made so far.”
The seizures, he said, were a large cache of arms and munitions and some unwholesome drugs, which could have posed greater danger to society and the general public if not intercepted.
He declared, “Remember the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, was here personally to receive the seizures and handed them over to the appropriate quarters.”
“We have taken note of the challenges at Onne; we are yet to pass their 2025 budget.”
“I hope you saw me writing them down myself, and when we get back, I will develop it, sit down one-on-one, and discuss with the CGC. Most of these challenges would be incorporated in their budget; the one we will solve by budgeting we do, and the one that would be solved through plenary we do also.”
“Hence, their welfare would be of our utmost priority,” he submitted.
Commenting on the House of Representatives visit to Onne Command, the Zone C Zonal Coordinator, SK Dangaladima, averred, “They have seen what is on the ground, and they will put every effort into solving the problems of our officers and men of this command, especially the lack of accommodation, operational vehicles, and the issue of more scanners.”
“As you can see, those officers that have done well have been promoted.”
“If you perform well, you will be rewarded, but if you don’t, you will be punished also, he explained.
Speaking on his achievement, Comptroller Babandede said, Onne Area 11 Customs Command has intercepted 20 containers laden with illicit drugs worth over N10B and also raked in over N190 billion naira in the first quarter of 2025. He added that the 2025 revenue generation was 17.12% higher than that of 2024. He promised that the Onne Customs Command would surpass its 2025 revenue generation.
“The committee members are here to see our challenges and what is on the ground, like the absence of adequate scanners for our operations.”
“We have only one scanner but need more to help us efficiently perform our duty.
We are surpassing our target, our monthly target is N58 Billion but we are making between N60 and N66B monthly.”

Adding to that, 8 of his officers and men whose intelligence led to the interception of those seized items have been given special promotions by the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR as a reward mechanism.
The event was attended by some critical stakeholders in the maritime industry, including terminal operators, ANLCA, NAGAFF, APFFLON, operators of bonded terminals, and government agencies. The committee, however, had an on-the-spot assessment of equipment at the WACT terminal and also inspected the only functional scanner at the WACT terminal and had a stopover at Intel’s facilities.