The Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone D, Bauchi, Comptroller Salefu O, has reiterated his commitment to stop the nefarious activities of smugglers within his jurisdiction.
Speaking with our correspondent in a telephone chat, Salefu said the negative impact of smuggling on Nigeria’s economy cannot be allowed to continue, if genuine businessmen and women are to reap from their investment and efforts.
“With the selfless leadership shown by the Comptroller General, Wale Adeniyi, we at FOU, Zone D, have decided to re-dedicate ourselves to duty and complement the efforts of the CGC. We are telling smugglers to stop smuggling, because we shall not stop until they (smugglers) stop.
On how he has been able to achieve so much with his short arrival at Zone D, he said, “we are following the examples of our leader, the Comptroller General.
“We have learned how to manage the resources at our disposal, motivate officers and men of the Service and they in appreciation have no option but to deliver.
“Customs has changed. The Customs of today is energized, highly motivated, trained, focused and inspired to deliver. No officer has any excuse not to do what is expected”, he said.
The battle against smugglers, Salefu stated, is not a personal battle, but a national service aimed at ensuring safety of lives of Nigerians.
“If smuggling is not checked, the economy would suffer, lives could be lost to fake drugs and sub-standard goods that smugglers try to bring into the country”, he said.
On how he copes with the challenges and pressures that come with the job, the FOU Zone D boss id, “every profession has its hazard. As a journalist, you have challenges.  “Sometimes you are caught between making choices and taking decisions. So far, at FOU Zone D, the Comptroller General has given us clear guidelines and we know what to do under any situation.
“Some decisions are hard and very difficult to make, but if you know you are acting within stipulated rules of Customs, you have nothing to worry about. No matter what you do, some will love you and praise you while others will hate you and call you names.
“But we stand by whatever we do because we are just doing our job. In doing our job, we are guided by government policies, customs, and regulations”, Salefu stated.

By: Stories by Nkpemenyie McDominic, Lagos