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| One of the newly-commissioned patrol vessels by the Nigeria Customs Service |
The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) finally commissioned two
sea-going security patrol vessels to tackle smuggling activities on the
nation’s waterways.
sea-going security patrol vessels to tackle smuggling activities on the
nation’s waterways.
The patrol vessels were procured since the last
administration, with Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi as the Customs Comptroller
General, but they were never deployed for operations.
administration, with Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi as the Customs Comptroller
General, but they were never deployed for operations.
Commissioning the two vessels; the “Group of Nine” and “Customs Pride” on Thursday in
Lagos, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), said
that the vital role of the customs service in the pursuit of the nation’s quest
for non-oil revenue requires it to boost its operations.
Lagos, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), said
that the vital role of the customs service in the pursuit of the nation’s quest
for non-oil revenue requires it to boost its operations.
He said: “Experience has shown that whenever smugglers
face stiff resistance by the NCS anti-smuggling operatives on the land, they
turn to the waterways to carry out their illegal trade.
face stiff resistance by the NCS anti-smuggling operatives on the land, they
turn to the waterways to carry out their illegal trade.
“Unfortunately, before now, the service had been weak
on water arising from the lack of sea-going vessels to effectively checkmate
smugglers on the high sea, which led to the death of nine Customs marine
officers in 2014.
on water arising from the lack of sea-going vessels to effectively checkmate
smugglers on the high sea, which led to the death of nine Customs marine
officers in 2014.
“It is in honour of this Group of Nine gallant officers
who died in the service of their fatherland that one of the vessels got its
name, the “Group of Nine.’’
who died in the service of their fatherland that one of the vessels got its
name, the “Group of Nine.’’
Ali said that the timing of the commissioning was
strategic as it would boost the ongoing joint security Ex-Swift Response on
water.
strategic as it would boost the ongoing joint security Ex-Swift Response on
water.
He disclosed that the NCS, as a result of its recent
unbundling, now had four Marine commands, namely, Western, Eastern, North and
North-Eastern Marine commands.
unbundling, now had four Marine commands, namely, Western, Eastern, North and
North-Eastern Marine commands.
The Zonal Coordinator and Assistant Controller General
of Customs in charge of Zone ‘A’ Headquarters in Lagos, Mrs. Kaycee Ekekezie,
said that the vessels would be a major instrument that would aid the NCS’ fight
against smuggling.
of Customs in charge of Zone ‘A’ Headquarters in Lagos, Mrs. Kaycee Ekekezie,
said that the vessels would be a major instrument that would aid the NCS’ fight
against smuggling.
According to her, with the vessels, the NCS would be
getting big catches and all decision-making will now be tripled.
getting big catches and all decision-making will now be tripled.
“All the proliferation of dangerous drugs and other
vices will be a thing of the past,’’ she said.
vices will be a thing of the past,’’ she said.
Mr. Mansur Ahmed, the President, Manufactures
Association of Nigeria (MAN), said that smugglers were the worst enemy of
manufacturers, stressing that “the manufacturers would now be face-to-face with
their own enemies.’’
Association of Nigeria (MAN), said that smugglers were the worst enemy of
manufacturers, stressing that “the manufacturers would now be face-to-face with
their own enemies.’’
He said the commissioning of the vessels as a welcome
development, as they would be of great assistance to the nation, particularly
with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement AfCFTA).
development, as they would be of great assistance to the nation, particularly
with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement AfCFTA).
Maj. Gen. Mohammed Monguno, National Security Adviser
to President Muhammadu Buhari, said that the president was determined to give
support in dealing with problems associated with the nation’s borders.
to President Muhammadu Buhari, said that the president was determined to give
support in dealing with problems associated with the nation’s borders.
According to him, the twin challenges of insecurity and
smuggling are a great concern for the present administration.
smuggling are a great concern for the present administration.
He added that: “Government will not allow itself to be
blackmailed or compromised by an individual nor entity as its main concern is
the protection of the citizenry protection and national economic growth.
blackmailed or compromised by an individual nor entity as its main concern is
the protection of the citizenry protection and national economic growth.
“This is, therefore, a unique accomplishment as it will
help in stemming criminal activities and in the years to come, more equipment
will be acquired.’’
help in stemming criminal activities and in the years to come, more equipment
will be acquired.’’
