NCS: Western Marine Command Increases Fire Power Against Smugglers

… Massive innovation, equipment procurement and infrastructural development on the rise.

By Ebenezer William

The Customs Area Controller of Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick N. Ntadi has reiterated the resolve of his command to bring down smuggling activities in the creeks under his jurisdiction to its lowest ebb.

He stated this while speaking to members of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), who paid him a courtesy call in his new office

When asked how he was able to transform the Command so rapidly in such a short time after assuming office, the CAC said that it was born out of his desire to make a landmark legacy that should outlive his term in the Command.

It was observed that the ever bustling under bridge market in front of the Command gate which was thronged by street urchins, accommodating all manner of makeshift businesses was no longer in existence and the hoodlums and urchins who occupied the vicinity and constituted nuisance had been flushed completely.

While conducting journalists around the newly renovated flat-bed boats with seats,two newly constructed hostel accommodation, office blocks and other relevant facilities that should aid smooth anti-smuggling operations in the creeks.
Controller Ntadi attributes these innovations to the support he got from people who knew what it takes to run against smugglers on the waterways. Some of the boats, he explained, were branded with names of personalities who visited the Customs Command to encourage and boost the morale of officers and men of the WMC. Names such as, Orbih, Olomu, Bomodi and Shuaibu.

Other facilities in the Command include new hostels, office blocks under construction and a well-renovated jetty.

Important facilities such as sheds in Ere, Gbokoda and Barbeach, were rebuilt to accommodate officers and men who were on duty in these areas.

Properly branded Raincoats, medicines and other medical equipment were also procured by the Command to aid first response to any casualty of snake bites, Scorpion stings and other ailments in the line of duty.

Comptroller Ntadi is confident that with the ever-present officers and men of the Command in the creeks and coastal lines of the sea, the notorious works of anti-state operators would be heavily curtailed.

Comptroller Ntadi said that the response and attention of the Controller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi to activities at the Command is a morale booster for the Command as boats suitable for sea operations will soon be made available.

He also thanked the officers and men of the Command for their loyalty and hard work without which progress would not have been possible.

At the closing stages of the inspection of the command, the CAC showed MAJAN the entry point of the facility that is currently undergoing a high-level renovation.

He took newsmen to the site of a five-aside football pitch, a basketball and a volleyball, court that are being built for people living in that area to help reduce idleness which breeds other social vices such as drug abuse, stealing and bullying, among young people.

This gesture according to the Comptroller is the Command’s Corporate Social Responsibility to society. “They will only come to the football pitch or basketball court and other facilities for games to keep them busy and away from crime, after which they will go back to their various homes tired.”

Comptroller Ntadi rued the activities of some journalists who he said were misinforming the public about the operation of the Command.

He said that journalists are important in the daily life of every society. However, he continued that the act of twisting stories or fabricating unconfirmed news is a dent to the journalism profession and could be an act of libel and may result in defamation of character to institutions and personalities.

The soft-spoken Customs chief said that he would not advocate the censoring of news by anyone from any quarter, rather he advised that when rumours are bandied around it is in the powers and responsibilities of newsmen to do a double check and reconfirmation before publishing it to help the general public with the truth at all times.

The CAC, said he was nonetheless grateful to MAJAN and all other well-meaning journalists in the beat for speaking fearlessly and truthfully on matters concerning the sector no matter whose ox was gored.

That said, he reiterated his confidence in the press that the fire of true and un-compromised reporting will not be put out by a negligible few who are bent on soiling the image of this noble profession.

In his response, the President of MAJAN, Jerry Aguigbo on behalf of the association, thanked the CAC for his warm reception and applauded the Controller for the on-going construction, reconstruction of physical structures and facelift of the infrastructures at the Western Marine Command. He said that with the level of work already done, the Western Marine Command is now comparable to many other government Agencies round the world. ” The present outlook is so befitting that it could rival what is obtainable at the headquarters of the Nigeria Customs in Abuja.