Marine borders would not be left porous - NIS

By Abiodun OBA

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has assured that marine borders would not be left porous since the Government had tightened air and land borders across the country.

The Acting Comptroller General of the Service, Mrs Caroline Adepoju, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Saturday in Uyo after a two-day familiarization tour of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Akwa Ibom Command.

Adepoju disclosed that NIS has finalized plans to tighten all marine borders across the country to ensure maximum security of the coastal environment and check the influx of persons with suspicious characters into the country.

She noted that the Akwa Ibom command has the longest coastal borders that must not be left porous to avoid nefarious activities within the maritime environment.

The acting comptroller general added that the government was working hard within the available resources to provide the necessary logistics to secure the blue borders.

“As I said, the Akwa Ibom State Command houses one of our longest coastal borders, and we are working hard as we have done in the air and land borders. We want to tighten the security around coastal borders.

“We don’t want the marine area, the blue borders of Nigeria, to be porous. We don’t want people of shady characters to perpetrate nefarious activities using our blue borders.

“That is why I am here, and since I came, I discovered that in Nigeria Immigration Service, we have trained officers, we have dedicated officers, we have people who are willing to work, but we are in need of logistics.

“We need the Government to help us; we need gunboats to be able to patrol our coastal borders. We need good offices and residential accommodation for our personnel, who are working in these coastal borders,” Adepoju said.

The acting comptroller general assured officers and men of the command that the government would continue to attach great importance to their welfare.

She charged the personnel to continue to show dedication and commitment to their duties as hard work would be rewarded.

She added that promotion would be given as and when due, but based on seniority, merit, professionalism, and excellence.

“I want to let you know that the welfare of personnel is paramount to me as the head of this organization. Day and night, I think about how I can better your lots.

“As we have done at the headquarters, we are conscious of difficulties associated with transportation these days, because of the changes in the price of fuel.

“We have deployed some vehicles to assist them in their transportation. God willing, depending on the availability of funds, I will ensure that we send something for you here.

“As for your promotion, promotion is very crucial in boosting the morale of officers. I want you to know that your promotion will be based on seniority, merit, hard work, and professionalism, and there will be no other consideration than excellence.

“I can assure you that when the time comes for promotion, those who are qualified will be promoted,” she said.

The Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service, Akwa Ibom Command, Mrs Francisca Dakat, thanked the acting comptroller general for the visit to the command.

Dakat said the acting comptroller general has come to see the challenges confronting the command, especially in the area of improving marine borders, and has promised to provide logistics to ensure adequate security along the coastal borders.

The high point of the visit was the inauguration of the official residence of the comptroller, Akwa Ibom command.