[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Customs Area Controller, CAC, Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, has taken inter-agency collaboration to Republic of Benin, in a bid to stem the tide in illicit trade at Seme border. Compt. Uba said that the significance of his visit to Benin Republic,was very  vital because “Benin Republic shares the same border with Nigeria, therefore such visit and a working collaboration with their Customs at the border would enable us curb illicit businesses at the border effectively as well as a working synergy with the Customs of neighbouring country becomes imperative to block all avenues of illegal trade at the border, in order to boost revenue generation for the Federal Government.

He also emphasized that Seme Command under his watch would leave no stone unturned in thwarting the efforts of economic saboteurs at the border. He added, “We are also working hand-in-hand with our sister agencies at the border to raise the tempo of anti-smuggling activities. These include Nigerian Army, Police and other security agencies”.On his level of preparedness to ensure constant surveillance at a difficult terrain likes Seme, he said, “The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Ali Hameed Ali has provided us with necessary logistics and operational tools to function effectively, Therefore, we are fully equipped to carry out our statutory functions to the best of our ability without any fear of intimidation.” . Photo News of the visit

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Lion of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba,Customs Area Controller, CAC, Seme Area Command,Comptroller Uba who is always known for his exceptional performance at every Command he heads has extended the familiarisation tour of his new Command to Nigerian Army and the traditional ruler of Badagry town and other stakeholders in the Border Command in order to strengthen the working synergy between Customs and the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the Border.

The Controller, Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mohammed Uba, said that inter-agency collaboration is imperative in Customs operations, especially in curbing smuggling of prohibited items across the nation’s borders.The CAC demonstrated this when he visited the Army Battalions 243 and Oba Akran of Badagry, to seek their cooperation on the need to work in synergy at enforcing strict security measures within Seme border.

Comptroller Uba stated this when he played host to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigeria Army, Major General M. S. Yusuf, who paid him a working visit. Major General Yusuf and his team visited the Command on a familiarisation tour. “Inter-agency collaboration is important in checking activities of economic saboteurs at the border communities in order to enhance revenue generation for optimum economic growth and development.

“Seme Area Command is ready to work closely with the Nigerian Army and other agencies of government at the border to ensure that offensive items are not smuggled into the country through the axis,” the Customs Controller said. Speaking during the visit, the GOC, who is in charge of Lagos and Ogun States, expressed readiness to work with the Seme Command in curtailing illicit business at the border.

Comptroller Uba and top officers of Seme Customs Command also visited the Oba of Ibereku town, as part of the familiarisation exercise,which becomes imperative for Seme Customs to intimate traditional rulers, as well as other security agencies on the need to ensure appropriate security enforcement at the border.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has alerted Federal and Lagos State Governments on the excesses of security personnel controlling trucks loading at the Apapa Port.

Mr Tayo Aboyeji, the NUPENG’s Chairman Lagos Zonal Council, while speaking with journalists in Lagos, also appealed to the Lagos State Government to urgently disband the task force and allow the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) personnel and the police to do their jobs. He alleged that the security personnel attached to the task force controlling trucks loading at the Apapa were in the habit of extorting and brutalising the tanker drivers.

The NUPENG’s chairman also said that activities of the security personnel posed serious threats to the truck drivers, adding that this had impeded loading of oil and free flow of traffic.

According to him, activities of the security personnel are the major challenges facing tanker drivers.

“We want activities of the security personnel to be checked; they are not trained to be controlling traffic. Their activities are affecting our operations.

“Two members of our union (NUPENG) were hospitalised on Monday. We don’t want more people to die due to their extortions and illegal operations. We want them to be withdrawn from the roads.

“In fact, the gridlock in Apapa area was caused by the excesses of the security personnel who will not allow our members to pass without paying them.“Those that were unable to meet their demands faced stringent punishment and harassment,’’ Aboyeji alleged.

He, however, appealed to the Lagos State Government to urgently disband the task force and allow the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) personnel and the police to do their jobs.  Aboyeji urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to decentralise port operations to other locations to decongest Apapa Ports and end gridlocks in the area.

He appealed to the management of NPA to develop other ports like Calabar, Warri, Port Harcourt and others, to reduce business concentration at Apapa port.

According to him, the management of NPA should extend ports infrastructure to accommodate incoming trucks, saying that they were blocking other road users.

“They can also create another port in Epe and Badagry to decongest the one in Apapa.

“The problem of NPA is over-concentration of activities in Lagos due to the concession of some parts of the port to private owners.

“NPA should also look for parking place for the containers outside Apapa to ease traffic, just as we did to trucks loading petroleum,’’ he said.