Toju Vincent
12 January 2014, Lagos – IN bid to ensure that smugglers are not given a chance to ply their trade in and around the Seme border post, the Customs Area Comptroller of Seme Comptroller Willy Egbudin has read the riot Act to officers at check points in the area.
Speaking to mem and officers during an unscheduled visit to Owode Border Station and Gbaji Check Point to read the riot act to Customs operatives at the posts, Egbudin sad that the visit was enable him to get a first hand view of the operational environment of the officers and to help them to effective plan and improved strategies to prevent loss of government revenue and improve on the surveillance and interdiction capability of the men.
Egbudin reiterated the Comptroller General Of Customs, GC, zero tolerance to smuggling.
He warned that it is not going to be business as usual for anyone, urging Customs operatives at the border post to embrace change and keep abreast with the on going Customs Modernisation process.
He told the officers that he will not operate an armchair management style as he is ready when necessary to personally lead operations as according to him, the fight against smuggling is total.
“The CGC expects us to be good ambassadors of the service all the time. I want to assure you that We will be seeing you from time to time, the field here is also a place to meet and I want your morale for this job to remain at the top because together we are building a better Nigeria.”
He reiterated the Command’s resolve to continue in its avowed duty to suppress smuggling by stepping up its vigilance over the Nation’s border.
“We are determined to offer the best of Customs preventive operation by making sure that the importation/exportation of prohibited items through the border are seized and the suspects arraigned to face the full weight of the law” he warned.
At their duty posts the Officers in Charge (O/Cs) of Owode and Gbaji stations expressed surprise and appreciation to the Controller for the visit while reassuring the CAC of their commitment to duty.
Responding to Comptrollers remark, Assistant Comptroller Audu Ado of Owode Station said “We have been here maintaining seamless shifts all through. We didn’t go for any Christmas or New Year break in line with directives from above and we shall keep this tempo all through the year to avoid being taken unawares by smugglers who attempts to use this route”
At Gbaji Checkpoint, Abdulkadir Umar, the O/C, told the controller and officers on his entourage that aside the watch on vehicular movements and routine search, they also keep close eyes on the adjoining bush paths and the marine environment against any suspicious or unlawful activity.
. The CAC’s visit is amongst several other visits and interactions he has held since assuming duties at Seme.He has promised to sustain and improve on the gains of the command’s anti smuggling drive.
