As part of inter-agency collaboration, the Nigerian Navy has offered to construct a standard jetty/ mini-dockyard for the marine division of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Western Marine Customs Command.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla disclosed this while speaking at the 17th Oil Trading Logistics (OTL) Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos.
Ogalla, who was represented by the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited, Lagos, Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, disclosed this in response to an observation that the Customs outfit was in need of a standard jetty at the WMC Command.
Orederu noted that the construction of a standard boat dockyard for the amphibian division of Customs could be part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or a discounted business venture to be discussed between both security agencies.
Rear Admiral Orederu, however, stated that the Naval Dockyard is also open to carrying out docking services for the two newly acquired security vessels by Customs.
Speaking on maritime security, Orederu revealed that Nigeria has been removed from the IBM List of countries known as piracy-prone as a result of Navy and other security agencies anti-piracy activities.
He added that the Navy intends to launch a Maritime Vision Centre in collaboration with other security agencies, stating that the time Vision Centre will be an all-inclusive security approach to address the marine assets of the nation.
On his part, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, expressed delight at the proposals by the Naval boss, stressing that it underlined the gains of inter-agency collaboration.
Adeniyi, who was represented by Area Controller of Western Marine Customs, Comptroller Odaudu Salefu, assured that Customs management would explore partnerships with Navy for the creation of the jetty and the management of newly acquired security boats.
Meanwhile, he expressed optimism that the NCS two new security vessels which will further enhance Customs performance in combating smuggling on the nation’s marine domain.
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