Comptroller Peter takes over at Western Marine Command; seeks information sharing.

As Comptroller Olugboyega Peters took over the mantle of leadership of the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, he has called for information sharing to be able to carry out his new assignment successfully.

Comptroller Peter while taking over from the outgoing CAC, Comptroller Boyiliya Binga on Thursday at the command, affirmed the readiness of the command to block all avenues that would enhance improved customs operations at the sea ports and land borders.

He affirmed to consult the outgoing controller whenever the need arises in addressing issues bothering on smuggling at sea.

He noted that the Western Marine Command would support all revenue generating commands by blocking all smuggling activities at sea.

Peter said that the amphibious arm of customs would maintain a working cordial relationship with other stakeholders in the sub sector to achieve the mandates set aside by management of the service.

Recall that Comptroller Binga was the Controller of the command for seventeen months with several seizures made with the Duty Paid Value of over N129 million naira in 2019 alone..

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the outgoing Area Controller, Comptroller Binga expressed confidence that the new sheriff would surpass his antecedents adding that the new controller has all it takes to succeed.

He also described the new controller as a core professional in customs operations saying, “I am handing over to a very competent officer and I believe he will surpass all I have done in this command.

“Comptroller Peter is a PSC ++ officer and I wish him good luck,”Binga added.

The Western Marine Command (WMC) is saddled with the statutory function of suppression of smuggling activities and enforcement of other extant laws that the Service may assign to it from time to time.

Its operational area covers the whole of South Western axis of the country’s water-ways and creeks.

Outstations within the Command are located in Idi-Iroko (Ogun State), Bar Beach (the entry point of all ships/vessels) into Nigeria Lagos Ports, Yekeme, Igbokoda (Ondo State), ljora and Badagry several creeks.

Meanwhile, in a press statement made available to newsmen by Emmanuel Tangwa, spokesman of the Command, he said, “At the beginning of the year 2019, the Customs Area Controller rolled out new strategies aimed at achieving maximum and efficient Operation. One of such strategy was a 24-hr patrol of the creeks and waterfronts of the Western axis by Officers and Men of the Command.

“Operation Total Blockade” was strengthened thus sending serious signals to smugglers.

Thirdly, the CAC organized several interactive meetings with border communities from Akere, Idiroko, Ere, Badagry and Yekeme outstations in a view of letting them know the ills and dangers of smuggling to the Nigerian State and the economy.

“The outcome of these meetings was tremendous. It led to a substantive reduction in smuggling along the creeks and the water-ways.

“As a result of “Operation Border Drill’, the CAC deemed it necessary to open up an outpost at “1IBESHE” community a major outlet to the high-sea to checkmate the activities of smugglers. Officers and Men of the Command are stationed there on a 24-hr patrol. This initiative led to several seizures made by the Command during the festive seasons.

“The aforementioned strategies led to improvement in the Command’s anti-smuggling activities. A total of Thirty C30) seizures of various items namely: Foreign Parboiled Rice, Frozen Products, Cannabis, Petroleum Products, Second-Hand Shoes and Clothes, Security Agency Uniforms, Plain Material and Wrappers, Tramadol, Buffalo Horns, etc. It is worth noting that anti-smuggling activities in the year under review was higher than the previous year 2018.

“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for the year 2019 amounted to N129,559,656.46) as against N98,164,865.17.

“The seizures were made at different times and at various places within the Command’s area of jurisdiction. For example Aseke, choki, Ibeshe Beach, Ere,Akere, High Sea, Idi-Iroko, Badagry, Bawe, Alaba market water-side, etc.

“With the commissioning of the Customs Sea-going Vessels, on Thursday 12 September, 2019 in Lagos, anti-smuggling activities of the Command were strengthened.