By: Felix Ikpotor
The Zonal Coordinator, Zone C, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Kamal Mohammed has showered encomiums on Comptroller Salamat Atuluku and the Port Harcourt Area 1 Customs Command for their achievements in the year 2025.
Recall that the Command surpassed its yearly revenue target for 2025 with a record breaking margin of N33. 753bn.
Atuluku had revealed the figures earlier in the year during a press conference. She announced that the command surpassed its yearly revenue target of N216 billion, after collecting a total of N247.461 billion as at October 2025, with a record-breaking monthly revenue collection of N33.753 billion in October.
ACG Mohammed while speaking at an end-of-year get-together with critical stakeholders and partners at the Port Harcourt Port, attributed the Command’s achievements to the effective leadership style of Comptroller Atuluku.
He said the comptroller has fostered collaboration, engagement and cordial relationships with stakeholders in the command resulting in the milestone.
He said, “I feel elated, satisfied and accomplished. The target wasnot only met but we have transcended it. Since Comptroller Atuluku assumed duty, she has been up and doing, veryresolute, devoted and passionate to improve what she took over.And indeed, she has gone even beyond that. We are expecting more wins in 2026 because she is doing everything possible to make to set more records for the Command.”
The ACG added, “If I’m to rate her performance, the right word to use for that is excellent.She has raised the bar, she has carved a niche for the command, asper excellence.”He added that the Command’s area of improvement is in line with the policy trust of the Comptroller General of Customs’ which is on consolidation, collaboration, innovation, and consultation. “You can see, and you can bear with me, that the examples are very practical.”She has done many things that were not done before despite the logistic challenges, and her efforts and commitment has culminated into this success story. Stakeholder engagement is her watchword.And I feel that this is why we are resilient, we are able to storm the weather, inspite of all the challenges in the area one command in terms of logistics and what have you.”People now want to come here and want to patronize this command. So I give her that credit. Its all about leadership”.
Speaking on behalf of officers and men of the Command, Head of Violation Unit at the Command, Deputy Controller, Muhydeen Ayoola, extolled the leadership qualities of Comptroller Atuluku which according to him, has improved officers’ welfare and efficiency of our operational processes, activities and revenue collection at the Port.
While conferring a ‘Social Impact Pioneer Award’ on Comptroller Atuluku, on behalf of officers of the command, DC Ayoola, described her leadership style and achievements as unprecedented.
“This award today on our madam, Comptroller Salamat Atuluku, shows that we are all happy with her for the rapid development and transformations she has brought to the Command. She came prepared, with the mind to revive the command, to make sure the revenue generation of the command goes up, and she has achieved that within a short while. She collaborates very well, engages in Corporate Social Responsibility CSR programmes, among others.I believe our stakeholders can attest to that.
“I have worked here for some years now, I never witnessed a get-together with critical stakeholders and officers, like this. “Last week, Madam embarked on a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project in Orominieke Community Schools 1 and 2, giving uniforms, textbooks, notebooks, school bags, and other school materials to children. That one, like I said, is one of the areas of interestof our amiable Controller General of Customs.”So, our Madam is emulating that by giving back to the society, especially to the less privileged that are within our areas of responsibility.
“Before now, this Port was under utilized with no much space and activities, but from Madam’s efforts, throughcollaborations and engagement with critical stakeholders the story is no longer what it used to be, operational activities have improved rapidly, the Port is very busy now.
“When you collaborate and exhibit good work ethics, when you are approachable, definitely, traders will come to where you work.I believe those are some of the reasons why Madam has set this historic record of achieving record revenue collection andeven surpassing our revenue targets,”
Earlier in her address, Comptroller Salamat Atuluku, expressed gratitude to stakeholders and partners for their support and cooperation, highlighting their significant contributions to revenue generation, smooth cargo clearance, and suppression of smuggling.
Comptroller Atuluku noted that the command’s achievements in revenue collection and operational performance were made possible through the support and cooperation of stakeholders, who consistently chose the path of compliance.
She thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and his management team for providing policy direction and operational framework that have supported engagements with stakeholders.
She noted that “Initiatives such as the Bodogwu, the Authorized Economic Operator programme, the Single Window and the One Stop Shop among others, have enhanced transparency and improved ease of doing business. These platforms have strengthened the relationship between the Service and stakeholders and have positively impacted operations within Port Harcourt Area 1 Command.”
She also acknowledged ACG Mohammed for his guidance, and officers of the Command for their dedication and commitment to implementing policies and engaging stakeholders professionally.
Atuluku encouraged stakeholders to sustain their level of cooperation and compliance, saying it remains the surest way to enjoy seamless trade and efficient service delivery.
The command’s corporate social responsibility project, which included donations of educational materials to Model Primary School Orominike I and II D Line, was also recognized as a reflection of the shared commitment to giving back to society and supporting the future generation.
Stakeholders of associations and unions operating at the ports including the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and others, also applauded Comptroller Atuluku’s leadership style that has encouraged improved and seamless operations at the Port.
