ASIDE ANTI-SMUGGLING FEATS;
COMPT UGBAGU SCALES UP FOU ‘C’s CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN IMO & AKWA IBOM STATES
Aside intensive anti- smuggling operations in the eleven states of the south-south/ south East, the Federal Operations Unit, zone C, Owerri is putting smiles on the faces of several communities in the zone.
Comptroller Mike Ugbagu disclosed to our correspondent that the unit has provided infrastructural facilities worth millions of naira in some states so far in its phase one community efforts.
To date, several solar-powered boreholes for clean water provision have been embarked upon and completed for the Irete communities in Owerri as well as in Ibaka area of Akwa Ibom states.
Another health outreach programme which has provided eye glasses for more than 180 rural dwellers is still ongoing.
Ugbagu disclosed that the health centre scheduled to be commissioned by the Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, carries out daily blood sugar screening tests, high blood pressure test and other ancillary health programmes .
The multi-million naira infrastructural facilities are provided in collaboration with some stakeholders, especially Bonded Terminal operators as well as other donors.
On the anti- smuggling platform, Ugbagu stated that the unit exceeded its revenue target, hitting more than N300,000 from various interventions in 2024 even though, it is not a revenue generating unit.
At the moment, he stated that smugglers are now scared to ply their illegal trade in the zone due to the presence of the FOU ‘C’ operatives.
The FOU ‘C’ helmsman noted that from their estimation, smuggling activities are reducing as a result of their presence in the nook and cranny of the zone.
He deposed that their operations now are mostly based on intelligence and that no smugglers can easily beat them to it.
‘We have recorded unprecedented successes, consequent on the high intelligence provided by the stakeholders.
Ugbagu warned that economic saboteurs in the garb of smugglers would meet their Waterloo, going forward, as he stressed that his men are more than ever determined to give them a bloody nose.