Customs seek NIWA’s collaboration over Seme, Badagry waterways

The Western Marine Command (WMC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has requested the collaboration of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) over the Seme, Badagry waterways route.

Disclosing this recently when he paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Engineer (Dr.) Sarat Braimoh, the newly appointed Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) WMC, Mr Oduadu Salefu requested for NIWA safety protocol cover and engineering support to assist Customs Marine Corp deliver on mandate and check revenue leakages.

According to Controller Salefu, “We want our men on water to operate within the best safety standards, and we believe NIWA as regulators can brush us up and even help us take a second look at our boat engines to avoid incidents of breakdown in the middle of nowhere.”

Comptroller Salefu further enjoined the NIWA Area Manager to assist him enthrone a joint patrol with the NIWA police, noting his deep self-discipline and respect for extant regulations which will be robustly marshalled to change compliance narratives, particularly on the Badagry to Seme waters, adjudged as a difficult and porous route for bursting alleged smuggling activities.

“I am aware that something needs to give way here and I request your office to help us understand this Badagry-Seme route, so that we can properly access what is happening there, and ensure goods in transit are captured for Custom duties.”  He added

Earlier in a welcome remark, the NIWA Area Manager, Engineer (Dr) Sarat Braimah informed the visiting Comptroller of Customs, that NIWA in Lagos is open to collaboration to help sanitse activities on water transportation on Lagos waterways.

In the word of the NIWA Area Manager, “We shall assist you in the area of safety awareness and education, and every other possible way that can make your assignment easy.”