Follow Us on Google
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The newly appointed Acting Area Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Nkeiruka Nwala, has vowed tough action against smugglers operating within the command.
Nwala gave the warning during a formal handover ceremony at the Customs House, Calabar.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs Yireabasi Ukpong.
According to the statement, the new Area Comptroller, who is a PhD holder, said smugglers and economic saboteurs operating along the strategic Mfum-Ekok border corridor should steer clear.
She pledged to facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen revenue collection in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, while maintaining firm enforcement against smuggling and other activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
Other News
DC Nwala described the command as strategically important, given its coverage of a major seaport, the Calabar Free Trade Zone, international border operations and commercial corridors across Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
She listed her four-point agenda as revenue generation and compliance, trade facilitation, border and economic security, and professionalism and partnership.
She expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in her and called for stronger collaboration with sister agencies, the Nigerian Ports Authority, Free Trade Zone operators and the business community.
She also acknowledged the contributions of her predecessor, Comptroller Momodu Giwah Dauda.
Ukpong reaffirmed the command’s commitment to effective administration and constructive stakeholder engagement.
