Smuggling on sea : Customs Deepens Collaboration with Nigerian Navy to curb the menace
Smuggling on sea :
Customs Deepens Collaboration with Nigerian Navy to curb the menace
Amidst other strategic collaborative efforts, the Nigeria Customs Service has taken a step further to deepen collaboration between the Service and the Nigerian Navy, in order to maintain its presence in Nigeria’s territorial waters against smugglers.
The Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, who visited the Naval Dockyard in Lagos, stated that the Nigerian Navy has the capacity and technical-know-how to maintain Customs fleet of Vessels.
He said; “We don’t need to establish a vessel maintenance unit; it’s capital intensive. We have an agency of government that has the knowledge, capacity, and there is willingness for them to assist us.
“I have seen and marveled by the capacity that exists here in the Naval Dockyard. We believe that we could tap into that capacity and enter into an agreement with you. So that you could manage the maintenance of our fleets.”
The CGC stressed that fortifying Customs presence in Nigeria’s coastal waters will reduce smuggling activities to the barest minimum.
He pointed out : “If we block the land borders effectively and do not maintain a very strong presence on our territorial waters, smugglers will take advantage. So, we also need to fortify and enhance our presence to checkmate those who may want to try smuggling through our waters.”
In response, the MD/CEO of Naval Dockyard Ltd., Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, maintained that the Naval dockyard has a significant role in vessel maintenance, repairs and even Shipbuilding.
“Naval dockyard is well poised to take advantage of a situation like this. We see the Nigeria Customs Service as a powerful ally of the Nigerian Navy.
“The capacity is here and the excess capacity can be used to support other agencies, the larger maritime community and the shipping world as a whole.”