War Against Smuggling: Customs Partners Imo NUJ

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’, Owerri, is to partner with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State council, in the fight against smugglers.
Comptroller Bukar Amajam, the new Area Controller of the Unit, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Owerri.
Amajam, spoke when the executives of the union led by the Chairman, Mr Innocent Igwe, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
Amajam said that the partnership would enhance public enlightenment on the demerits of smuggling.
The official said that, the zone was empowered to eliminate smuggling through enforcement of government policies.
According to him, NCS does not engage in seizure of goods that fulfilled all legal requirements.
He said that, the activities of customs in the zone were geared toward strengthening the local economy.
He said that, the unit would not succumb to blackmail but would continue to educate the public on its activities to the citizens to play roles that would bring smuggling to the barest minimum.
“We do not gain anything if a genuine importer suffers to import goods and they are impounded.
“ It is not easy for an individual to raise resources, pay for visa, transport himself to buy goods, and import them into the country.
“The service is not intended to cause suffering; rather, we facilitate legitimate trade and alleviate any problems faced by compliant traders,” he said.
The comptroller noted that there were import prohibitions and restrictions, and called on the public to have adequate knowledge of import guidelines through the customs website, or make inquiries at any customs formation.
Amajam urged the media to join hands with the service in educating the public on government fiscal policies.
Earlier, the Chairman of Imo NUJ, Igwe, commended the men and officers of the zone for hard work and successes recorded in their anti-smuggling operations.
He welcomed the new comptroller, and pledged the support of the union in informing and educating the public, as well as in accurate news reporting of the zone’s activities.
Igwe also commended the contributions of customs to the economic development of the nation.
The Tide reports that, Amajam took over from Comptroller Mohammed Garba who went on transfer last month.