OLADEJI THUMBS UP THE CG; SAYS SMUGGLING ON THE DECLINE
By: Timothy Paul Okorocha
Controller of the Federal Operations Unit, (FOU) zone A, Comptroller IK Oladeji has said that smuggling of goods and unwholesome products are reducing nationwide.
He told members of the League of Maritime Editors (LOMÉ) who paid him a courtesy visit today that the indices from the maritime industry, arising from the several exhibitions of seizures of dangerous products by the Comptroller General of the customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, confirm this.
According to him, the exhibitions of such products in Adamawa, Lagos, Abeokuta, Onne and Calabar attest to the fact that the Comptroller General is working harder than ever , and putting round pegs in round holes.
Oladeji stated that the arms and ammunition’s seizure, as well as several containers of prohibited drugs seized in the last one year was unprecedented.
He noted also that the establishment of the Whirlwind Task Force Team has contributed immensely in curbing the illegal exportation of petroleum products out of Nigeria.
‘Since this Comptroller General came on board , all aspects of the Service not looked into before are now being constantly policed. Look at the issue of arms and ammunition, imagine the influx of drugs curtailed’ he deposed.
The FOU boss pointed out that all efforts are geared towards ensuring that smugglers are brought to their knees.
The Comptroller General is using the right tools to fight smuggling tooth and nail, adding that smuggling is a monster that must be fought to a stand still.
He recalled that the Premier command Apapa recently intercepted 3 containers of poultry products, describing it as a big feat for the service.
On the blockade of roads by the operatives of the Federal Operations Unit sometimes, the Controller said it was based on intelligence and to forestall the diversion of containerised goods from the various Bonded Terminals.
He fingered wrong/false declarations as one of the common tricks used by importers/exporters to smuggle cargoes, noting that a recent discovery showed that some containerised goods were declared as agricultural products, but when they were subjected to 100 percent examination, they were discovered to be fully Chinese clothing.
On the Customs/ community periodic violence which used to be the case in some borders, he pledged that there will not be accidental discharge during his stewardship, adding that there is none so far.
Oladeji noted that he has warned his officers not to kill anyone because of one bag of rice such person is carrying as according to him, such rice is not worth taking anyone’s life.
He saluted the Comptroller General for the robust welfare package in today’s service,insisting that due to the CG’s dedication to duty, ‘if you call him by 2 am, he will pick your call and address your problem’.
Earlier, the President of the League of Maritime Editors, High Chief Timothy Paul Okorocha had congratulated the FOU Boss on his appointment and meeting up to the expectations with huge seizures since he came on board.
He informed the Controller of the plans of the Association to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on August 22 and 23 respectively at the Lagos Travel Inn, on Toyin street Ikeja, and requested his attendance and delivery of a lecture on the success and challenges of the war against smuggling.
Okorocha also told the FOU helmsman of the Association’s election coming up during the Annual conference.