ACG Mohammed Retires, Commissions Customs Clinic Others At Port Harcourt Area 1 Command

It was praise galore at the customs Zone C Headquarters Port Harcourt Rivers State last week,as the Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Customs service Zone C, ACG Kamal Mohammed Retired from the Service after reaching a mandatory 60 years retirement age at the Nigeria Customs service.

The retirement came on the heels of a reconstructed Customs Area 1 Clinic and Quarter Guide by the Command's Area Controller, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku which was commissioned by the outgoing ACG Kamal Mohammed.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Zonal Coordinator, ACG K Mohammed said "It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of fulfillment that I stand before you today to witness and formally commission the renovated Customs Clinic." 

He added, "For a long time, this clinic remained in a deplorable state, struggling to meet the expectations and healthcare needs of officers, their families, and the surrounding community."

The outgoing Customs ACG noted that the narrative has been positively rewritten which he attributed  to the passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment demonstrated under the dynamic leadership of the Customs Area 1 Controller, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.

ACG Mohammed reiterated that Comptroller Atuluku's vision, foresight, and determination championed the noble cause and transformed a long-standing challenge into a worthy and enduring success.

To buttress the importance of health to institutional effectiveness he was quoted as saying that "Mahatma Gandhi aptly observed, it's health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver.” 

Furthermore, he insisted that the profound truth underscored the essence of the event even as he noted that a healthy workforce was the backbone of any effective organisation, and the provision of quality healthcare was fundamental to sustaining productivity, morale, and excellence in service delivery.

He also pointed out that the renovation project aligned squarely with the Nigeria Customs Service Corporate Social Responsibility mandate which reflected on collective commitment to the welfare, well-being, and productivity of the officers and stakeholders. 

He maintained that it also resonated strongly with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which according to him anchored on the pillars of Collaboration, Consolidation, and Innovation. 

He stated “as part of our commitment to further demonstrate our readiness to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare needs of the Port community, we are also conducting free blood pressure and blood sugar screening tests today.”

"This outreach underscores our resolve to extend care beyond infrastructure and directly impact lives through preventive health services" Mohammed said.

He continued, by saying that in furtherance of those pillars, and in recognition of their shared national responsibilities, the clinic was not exclusive to the Nigeria Customs Service alone but open to other sister agencies as a deliberate gesture of cooperation, synergy, and mutual support. 

He therefore, quoted Theodore Roosevelt as saying “The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all.” 

He emphasized that the above statement captured the spirit of inter-agency collaboration and reinforced the understanding that national security and development were collective responsibilities that transcended institutional boundaries.

He averred that by promoting access to quality healthcare across agencies, the service has strengthened inter-agency relations, enhanced operational efficiency, and foster an atmosphere of mutual respect, peace, and shared purpose in the execution of their national mandate.

"Today’s occasion therefore represented more than the commissioning of a healthcare facility; it is a clear testament to purposeful leadership, teamwork, and the enduring values of service, compassion, and innovation that define the Nigeria Customs Service" the Zone C Customs boss said.

He commended the Customs Area Controller, Area 1, command , Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, her management team, all contributors, and stakeholders who played various roles in bringing the laudable project to fruition saying their collective efforts would undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy for present and future generations.

Earlier in her welcome address, the CAC, Customs Area 1 Port Harcourt, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku said  "we are gathered not only to commission the renovated Staff Clinic and Quarter Guard, but also to celebrate and honour a distinguished career through the  send-forth of the retired Zonal Coordinator, Assist Comptroller General of Customs Kamal Mohammed.

She applauded the Zonal coordinator for his steadfastness selflessness and commitment to duty even as she equally praised him for the robust relationship that existed between him and the officers and men of the command, wishing him well in his future endeavours.

Commenting on the commissioning, she noted that it aligned with the Nigeria Customs Service policy on staff welfare, occupational health, and safety, which recognized that the health and well-being of officers and men remained fundamental to effective service delivery. 

She reiterated that the  provision, rehabilitation, and continuous improvement of functional health facilities across Customs formations were therefore central to the Service’s welfare and human resource framework.

Her words: "Upon my resumption at the Port Harcourt Area I Command in the month of September 2025, an assessment of the Staff Clinic revealed that the facility was in a poor state and required urgent intervention to restore it to acceptable operational standards. Consequently, renovation works were undertaken to improve its functionality and service delivery. These interventions included the restoration and connection of electricity, repainting of the building, replacement of window blinds, tiling of the clinic floors, repairs to critical bays, restocking of the pharmacy, and other essential improvements aimed at enhancing the working environment and the quality of healthcare services." 

"The renovated Staff Clinic is now better positioned to provide timely and efficient healthcare services to officers and men of the Command.”

"In furtherance of the Service’s policy on inter-agency cooperation and community engagement, the clinic will also be accessible to stakeholders, sister security agencies, and members of the public."

"Similarly, the Quarter Guard remains central to discipline, security, and effective command control. Its renovation aligns with established Nigeria Customs Service standards on security infrastructure and facility maintenance, which are critical to operational efficiency."

The Customs Area 1 boss stated that it was particularly symbolic that those welfare-driven projects were being commissioned by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone C, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Kamal Mohammed,mni, whose tenure  according to her, has been marked by a strong emphasis on staff welfare, discipline, capacity development, and institutional strengthening. 

She therefore, extended gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs Bahir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR psc(+) for his purposeful leadership and sustained commitment to staff welfare, institutional efficiency, and infrastructure development across the Service even as she appreciated  members of the Management Team for their policy direction, guidance, and support.

She emphasized that the successful completion of the renovation projects was made possible through dedication, and cooperation of officers and men of the Port Harcourt Area I Command, in strict adherence to established Service guidelines and procedures while commending all those who contributed in various capacities to the realization of those projects.

She stressed that as the facilities were commissioned, users should adhere strictly to approved guidelines governing their usage and maintenance, so that they would continue to support the health, safety, and operational effectiveness of the Command.

Present at the occasion, was the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation Timi Bomodi who gave a goodwill message and showered praises on the outgoing ACG Kamal Mohammed.

Others include Customs Comptrollers from Zone C and officers and men of various commands, members of ANLCA NAGAFF, Sister government agencies such as Police, Immigration, Quarantine, critical stakeholders among others.

Highpoint of the event was the cutting of Cake, and presentation of gifts.

By: Bon Peters

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