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| CGC, Col. Hameed Ali(Rtd.) on inspection of the Guard of Honour at the Western Marine Command during his working visit to the command on Tuesday |
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| The CGC, Col. Hameed Ali and CAC Western Marine Command, Yusuf Umar |
The Western Marine Command (WMC) of the Nigeria
Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday demanded for more outstations in Iyana Sashi
and Ikorodu (Lagos State); Lokoja (Kogi) and Odo, Shaki in Oyo State.
Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday demanded for more outstations in Iyana Sashi
and Ikorodu (Lagos State); Lokoja (Kogi) and Odo, Shaki in Oyo State.
Controller of the Command, Mr Yusuf Umar, made
the request while receiving the Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col.
Hameed Ali in Lagos.
the request while receiving the Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col.
Hameed Ali in Lagos.
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| The CGC at the WMC Jetty |
Umar also
requested for modern and efficient water patrol crafts like medium size boats
and high-speed outboard engines, to boost anti- smuggling operations.
requested for modern and efficient water patrol crafts like medium size boats
and high-speed outboard engines, to boost anti- smuggling operations.
The controller said the command also needed
trucks for conveying seizures to the base and other utility vehicles for the outstations.
trucks for conveying seizures to the base and other utility vehicles for the outstations.
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| The CGC inspects facilities at the WMC |
He appealed to the comptroller-general for the
provision of accommodation (barracks) for customs operatives in the outstations,
who presently live in rented apartments, which is risky to their lives.
provision of accommodation (barracks) for customs operatives in the outstations,
who presently live in rented apartments, which is risky to their lives.
Umar said the command was responsible for
suppressing smuggling activities and enforcing other extant regulations as may
be assigned to it from time to time.
suppressing smuggling activities and enforcing other extant regulations as may
be assigned to it from time to time.
The controller also said that operational areas
of the command covered the South Western axis of the country.
of the command covered the South Western axis of the country.
He said the operational areas extended to the
North Western area of the country, particularly River Yauri in Kebbi, where the
command had no outstation.
North Western area of the country, particularly River Yauri in Kebbi, where the
command had no outstation.
Umar explained that other outstations include
Idiroko (Ogun); Igbokoda (Ondo State); Yekeme, Bar Beach, Ijora and Badagry all
in Lagos State.
Idiroko (Ogun); Igbokoda (Ondo State); Yekeme, Bar Beach, Ijora and Badagry all
in Lagos State.
He told the comptroller-general that the command had
in the last 10 months made 35 seizures, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N70.3
million.
in the last 10 months made 35 seizures, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N70.3
million.
He added that the figure was approximately a 65
per cent increase compared with 30 seizures valued at N28.8 million recorded in
2014 before he assumed office.
per cent increase compared with 30 seizures valued at N28.8 million recorded in
2014 before he assumed office.
Umar said the command had to sand fill the
environment, reconstruct a drainage system into the shoreline as part of
efforts to give the erstwhile swampy environment a face-lift.
environment, reconstruct a drainage system into the shoreline as part of
efforts to give the erstwhile swampy environment a face-lift.
The controller further said that, “The command
also installed a CCTV monitor to check movements and activities around the base
as one of security measures put in place.
also installed a CCTV monitor to check movements and activities around the base
as one of security measures put in place.
“We renovated and refurbished the CAC’s office
complex and other offices and residential structures that were in completely obsolete
state.
complex and other offices and residential structures that were in completely obsolete
state.
“We constructed a befitting medical clinic,
fully equipped to cater for the health needs of our officers, who are always on
the waters on patrol duties.”
fully equipped to cater for the health needs of our officers, who are always on
the waters on patrol duties.”
The controller said, the command had to
construct make-shift offices and residential quarters containing five offices
and three rooms for the Customs Officers Wives Association(COWA)office/conference
room and officers residential accommodation.
construct make-shift offices and residential quarters containing five offices
and three rooms for the Customs Officers Wives Association(COWA)office/conference
room and officers residential accommodation.
He said that the temporary structures became necessary
when the old buildings were demolished.
when the old buildings were demolished.
He added that the command had to repair 14 of
its water crafts to boost its operations on water, while 112 officers and men
were trained on the use of AK 47 riffles.
its water crafts to boost its operations on water, while 112 officers and men
were trained on the use of AK 47 riffles.
Earlier, the comptroller-general addressed
officers and men of the command and warned them against acts of indiscipline,
while he urged the officers to work with dedication.
officers and men of the command and warned them against acts of indiscipline,
while he urged the officers to work with dedication.
Ali promised to look into the welfare of
officers, adding that officers would no longer stay beyond three years on a posting
again.
officers, adding that officers would no longer stay beyond three years on a posting
again.
He also promised that promotion would henceforth
be done twice yearly.
be done twice yearly.
