Engage in legitimate business ventures - Katsina Customs Controller

…Stresses stakeholder synergy in inter-border community relationships

By Abiodun OBA

The people of in Katsina State have been advised to engage in legitimate business ventures and not engage in smuggling and other illegalities that may pit them against the Customs and other security agencies operating in the state.

The Comptroller of Customs, Katsina State Command, Mohammed Abubakar Umar, urged over the weekend when he inspected the Nigeria-Niger border in Katsina State as part of his efforts to strengthen the capacity building of the Nigerian Customs Service operatives in the Command as well as earn the confidence of the residents.

Umar stressed the importance of synergy among stakeholders to achieve the set objectives of free flow of inter-border relationships among border communities.

The Controller during the border visit, went to Magama and Maji in Jibia, Dankama in Kaita LGA, and Birnin Kuka of Mashi Local Government Area of the State.

He used the occasion to familiarise himself with other officers on duty and other traditional institutions within the border regions in order to have a robust relationship with them in the course of official engagement.

The Controller also used the occasion to seek synergies with stakeholders on the way to build relationships between the customs and the traditional rulers and other communities within the border region.

He further stressed the need to work closely with all stakeholders, traditional rulers and other sister security agencies in the quest to build a strong economic base in the state.

Also stressed is the need for a harmonious working relationship between the command and those that matter in the areas in order to ensure that the set goals and mandate of the Nigerian Customs are met.

Mohammed Abubakar Umar used the occasion to familiarise himself with other communities and seek their collaboration, as well as understand their relationships with the customs officers on duty.

Meanwhile, the activities of the Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Customs have been described as commendable, particularly since the assumption of duty of the Controller, Mohammed Abubakar Umar, a few months ago.

The commendation was made by a former Speaker of the Nigeria Youth Assembly, Comrade Ukkasha Hamza Rahama, while speaking with journalists in Bauchi on Saturday about the activities of the Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of Mohammed Abubakar Umar.

According to him, “the Katsina Area Command, which shares borders with the Niger Republic, had remained a worry before now.

But with the coming of Mohammed Abubakar Umar, things have changed positively. The report we are hearing from there is very encouraging. He is representing Bauchi State very well.”

He then urged other officers and men of the command to support and rally around him in order to achieve the objectives of his posting to the command, just as he also solicited cooperation from the traditional institutions in the state.