Customs western marine controller pledges intensified surveillance on waterways
Customs
The newly appointed Acting Controller of the Western Marine Command, Deputy Comptroller Timothy Jonah, has pledged to intensify surveillance and strengthen inter-agency collaboration along the Lagos-Ogun waterways.
Jonah said the Western Marine Command was a hotspot for smuggling through creeks and waterways, stressing that information and intelligence sharing remained central to his operational strategy.
The Controller’s pledge was contained in a statement issued by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Clarinet Nwosu, and made available to newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday.
He said the command would continue to work in synergy with sister agencies, including the Nigerian Navy and the Marine Police, to effectively combat smuggling through the waterways.
Jonah added that the command would engage other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that smuggling on the waterways was curtailed while legitimate economic activities thrived unhindered.
According to him, trade facilitation remains a core function of the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that enforcement against smuggling should not hinder legitimate trade.
He explained that the World Customs Organisation emphasised the need for safe and efficient trade flows, adding that control measures were necessary to ensure security within the supply chain.
He assured legitimate operators that the Customs Service had no issues with compliant traders, saying only those engaged in illegal activities would be stopped or arrested.
Jonah urged operators to strictly comply with extant customs and maritime laws, assuring compliant traders of the service’s full support to enable them to succeed in their businesses.
On officers’ welfare and community partnership, Jonah said he would build on the Comptroller-General’s welfare initiatives, including health checks and sports facilities, to boost officers’ fitness and morale.
He said the command would begin visits to riverine community leaders and border kings from next week to deepen collaboration, pledging to build on the achievements of his predecessor.
The Western Marine Command Controller also charged officers and men to embrace teamwork, discipline and respect for constituted authorities to ensure operational success.
Jonah, addressing officers at the command headquarters in Lagos, said no officer could succeed in isolation, stressing that excellence in service could only be achieved through collective effort and unity of purpose.
He said the Customs Service was a regimented organisation anchored on discipline, urging officers to respect their superiors and follow established reporting channels rather than bypassing immediate supervisors to report issues directly to the Controller.
He described officers in charge of various units as leaders at their respective levels who must demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, noting that leadership involved addressing challenges and leaving a positive impact in assigned areas.
He also emphasised officers’ welfare, health consciousness, work-life balance and reputation management.
He urged officers to maintain executive presence, dress decently, demonstrate courage when interfacing with sister agencies, and embrace a culture of continuous learning.(NAN))
