The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), retired Col. Ibrahim Ali, has described the activities of smugglers in the Oke Ogun area of Oyo State as “daring and sophisticated.’’
The NCS boss, who was on a two-day working tour of Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Service, visited the border formations at Saki.
Ali, however, called for increased synergy between operatives of NCS and other security agencies.
He said that plans were underway to ensure that the agency was effectively equipped to carry out its primary functions of curbing smuggling, and generating revenue.
Ali urged officials to be more pro-active in intelligence gathering by monitoring what was happening around them and nipping this in the bud.
He also renewed his call for the establishment of community/customs relationship to further assist in anti-smuggling operations.
Ali disclosed that government was working assiduously toward installing border posts at necessary locations across the country.
According to him, this had already been factored into the scheme as part of efforts to curb smuggling in the country.
He said the present administration was committed to the welfare of officers and men of the service for optimal productivity.
“Anybody that wants performance must equally look after the welfare of the staff.
” We are doing everything to make sure that the welfare of the personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service is well taken care of .
“This is in terms of both residential and office accommodation, transport, insurance, remuneration and lots of other things.
” We are not comfortable with a situation where we are renting office or residential accommodation for our service personnel.
“We need to motivate the service personnel to deliver and we are working with government to make sure that things improve,’’ he said.
He said the NCS and FIRS remain the major source of revenue for the Federal Government.
” It is not a matter of choice; it is a must that we must step up our performance in order to garner that money to sustain this nation. We have no choice.
” Oil has gone so low that we can no longer be dependent on oil. Solid minerals have not been developed to the level that it will sustain us.
“So, the only source of stable revenue for the Federal Government is the FIRS and the Customs,’’ he said. (NAN)