WMC Presents Wish List to Customs Boss
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command ( WMC), Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos has presented its wish list to the Customs High Command.
WMC, which is the flagship of NCS anti-smuggling outfit in the waterways in the South-West geo-political zone of the country, said the provisions of the items on the list will enable it meet its statutory roles and responsibilities.
The command said it needs more out stations to fulfill its mandate of curbing the activities of smugglers in the nation’s waterways.
The wish list was presented by WMC Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Yusuf Umar to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Colonel Hameed Ali (retired) during his recent visit to the command as part of his familiarisation tour of NCS formations in Lagos and its environs.
Umar stated that for the command to actualise its set goals and objectives, the additional outstations should be located in Iyana Sashi and Ikorodu (Lagos State); Lokoja (Kogi); as well as Odo and Shaki in Oyo State.
Other demands include modern and efficient water patrol crafts like medium size boats and high-speed outboard engines to boost anti- smuggling operations as well as trucks for conveying seizures to the base and other utility vehicles for the outstations.
Umar also appealed to the CGC for the provision of accommodation (barracks) for men and officers the outstations who presently live in rented apartments which is risky to their lives.
Giving an insight into WMC operations, 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.
While stating that the operational areas of the command covered the South Western axis of the country, he enjoined the CGC to extend it to the North Western area of the country, particularly River Yauri in Kebbi State where the command presently has no outstation.
He explained that other outstations include Idiroko (Ogun); Igbokoda (Ondo State); Yekeme, Bar Beach, Ijora and Badagry all in Lagos State.
On the achievements of WMC, he disclosed that the command had in the last 10 months made 35 seizures with a duty paid value (DPV) of N70.3 million.
According to him, 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.
“I 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. The command also installed a CCTV monitor to check movements and activities around the base as one of security measures put in place,” he said.
Continuing on the strides made by the command since he was appointed its CAC, Umar said: “We renovated and refurbished the CAC’s office 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.”