By Steve Agbota
Comptroller Michael Ugbagu has assumed office as the 28th Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, zone C (FOUC) of the Nigeria Customs Service, Owerri.
Ugbagu took over from his predecessor, Comptroller Kayode Kolade in a ceremony in Owerri, at the weekend.
He thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs; Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for the trust and confidence bestowed on him to pilot the affairs of the unit.
He equally thanked Comptroller Kolade for his achievements while he held sway and pledged continued compliance with established guidelines while discharging his duties.
“We will ensure compliance with the current import and export guidelines using intelligence and technology to drive our operations.
“There will be a watertight security against smuggling activities across the zone. Smugglers will be discouraged, frustrated and made uncomfortable, thereby making smuggling, duty evasion and warehousing of smuggled goods unattractive within the zone. This is an onerous responsibility and I will not let the Service down,” he said.
He called for support and cooperation from the media and the general public to enable him carry out his new assignment.