Western Marine Command seeks joint patrol with NIWA police to avoid loopholes in duty collection.

Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of the Western Marine Command (WMC) of the Nigeria Customs Service , Comptroller Oduadu Seletu, on Thursday, visited the Lagos Area office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in ways to maximise the economic opportunities of brown waters

The new Comptroller while speaking with the Area Manager, Engr Sarat Braimah, requested for NIWA safety protocol cover and engineering support to assist Customs Marine Corps deliver on mandate and check revenue leakages.

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In a statement from the office of the NIWA Area Manager, the Controller sought synergy on how the operatives if the customs can operate within the best safety standards.

His words, “We want our men on water to operate within the best safety standards and we believe NIWA as regulators can brush us up and even help us take a second look at our boat engines, to avoid incidents of breakdowns in the middle of nowhere,”

Comptroller Salefu further enjoined the NIWA Area Manager to assist in enthroning a joint patrol with NIWA police, noting his deep self-discipline and respect for extant regulations which will be robustly marshalled to change compliance narratives particularly on Badagry to Seme waters, adjudged as a difficult and porous route for bursting alleged smuggling activities.

“I am aware that something needs to give way here and I request your office to help us understand this Badagry Seme route, so can properly access what is happening there, and to ensure goods in transit are captured for Customs duties.” he added

Earlier in her welcome remark, the NIWA Area Manager, Engr (Dr) Braimah informed the visiting Comptroller of Customs, that NIWA in Lagos is open to collaboration to help sanitize activities on water transportation on Lagos waterways.

She said, “We shall assist you in the area of safety awareness and education and every other possible way that can make your assignment easy.”