By Zika Bobby
The Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area 2 Command, Onne, Comptroller Bashir Abubakar, has said that his command was now on red alert over the rising incidences of illegal importation of firearms into the country. He said the command was alarmed over the interception of cache of arms at the Tincan Island Command of the Service for three times within a period of eight months.
Mr. Abubakar said his men were on high alert to ensure that the importers of the deadly weapons would not succeed in bringing arms into the country through Onne Port. Abubakar said the legacy he was to leave behind at the command was to ensure that officers operate under the highest level of discipline.
He lauded Controller General Hameed Ali’s policy of rewarding officers with commendation or promotion for excelling in their jobs.
Abubakar said customs officers under his watch have increased their level of compliance aimed at enforcing all directives from the customs headquarters in line with the Customs and Excise Management Act.
He said: ‘’When talking about compliance, great compliance level comes by the way and manner the service management and Controller General is. The service is so lucky, having a highly disciplined CGC who deals with issues accordingly irrespective of any level
‘’He has given each officer power to operate, each department have their respective power to operate. So, when you are operating under this circumstances and this kind of level, it will force you to key in. Compliance level by operatives in this port is on a very high degree. Level of discipline has increased among the rank and files due to lots of encouragement by the management.
“Look at the customs program over the period of time; just last week the CGC decorated some of our officers in Lagos for their diligence in using their eagle eyes to fish out arms and ammunition and this is a good development. Actions like this helps officers to sit up,” he said.