FG inaugurates committee on illegal arms importation

THE Federal Government has expressed concern about illegal arms importation and has vowed to address the menace. Minister of Interior, Lieutenant Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd), spoke during inauguration of an 11-man committee to ensure that security operations at the country’s air, sea and land ports is improved.

The move was also part of efforts to ensure that the continued seizure of large cache of arms by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) was reduced to the bearest minimum.

Dambazau, who is also the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Improvement of Security Operations at Nigeria’s Ports, said government’s desire to accelerate national development through diversification of economy would be realised through transparency and efficiency in the business environment.

He said the committee’s assignment was to assist in improving the security services at the nation’s ports which would, among others things, facilitate the implementation of the executive order No. 1.

Parts of the committee’s reference terms include; “to assess the present deployment of personnel from different agencies working at the airport, seaports and land border with a view to reducing their size to what is absolutely necessary, in accordance with globak best practice.

Other terms of reference are “to recommend measures to promote ease of doing business at Nigeria’s sea ports, while while ensuring maximum security according to global best practices; to sensitise all personnel working at Nigeria’s Ports and the general public on the new policy and practice of doing business at all Nigeria’s ports and borders in strict compliance with international best practices.”

The committee, which has a duration of eight weeks to turn in its reports, is also expected to identify the most vital agencies and desks needed for efficient operations and their appropriate locations within the ports.

Members of the committee are the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, as well as heads of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Ports Authority,Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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