Comptroller Patrick Ntadi Intensifies Efforts To Tackle Smuggling Activities, Plays Host To MAJAN Executives
By Asuquo Nuwak
Comptroller Patrick Ntadi Intensifies Efforts To Tackle Smuggling Activities, Plays Host To MAJAN Executives
••• He Embarks on uncommon transformation of Western Marine Command
Following the matching order given by Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to transform Western Marine Customs Command and make sure that smuggling activities through waterways and creeks are effectively checked, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi’s management team in its bid to transform the command has embark on several beautification projects to make the command wear a new physical look.
Inspite of the challenges facing the Western Marine Command, the command under the exemplary leadership of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, whose will is directed to the suppression of smuggling and generation of revenue has made tremendous achievements in procuring branded raincoats, medicines, other medical equipments as first aids for officers and men of the command who may have casualty of snake bites, scorpion stings, and who may be injured in the course of their duty on the waterways.
The Customs Area Controller of Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, who disclosed this when the executive members of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), paid him a courtesy visit in his new office, also added that the command
procured medicines and medical equipments to handle the occurrences of casualty in the course of fight against smugglers on the coastal areas.
This is followed by renovation of newly flat-bed boats with seats, reconstruction of two newly hostels accomodation, office blocks and other relevant facilities used in smooth anti-smuggling operations in the creeks.
When Comptroller Patrick Ntadi took the MAJAN executives around for inspection of the new structures springing up in the command, he attributed these infrastructural development to the support he got from well wishers who recogniszes the need to fight against smugglers on the waterways.
He further disclosed that some of the boats were branded with names of personalities, such as former Zone ‘A’, ACG Charles Orbih, former Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area command, former Comptroller Timi Bomodi, and former Comptroller Shuaibu, who visited the command to encourage and boost the morale of officers and men of Western Marine Command.
Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, who believes that with the deployment of officers and men of the command to over see the creeks and coastal areas, the command is set to ensure that the notorious activities of anti-state operators is drastically reduce to the barest minimum.
He said the response and attention given to support the activities at the command by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, is a morale booster for the command, adding that boats suitable for sea operations will soon be made available.
However, other facilities include new hostels, office blocks under construction, and well renovated jetty.
Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, has provided welfare services to the officers and men of the command and the various outstations, which include sheds in Ere, Gbokoda Barbeach, rebuilt to accommodate officers who are on duty in these areas.
Under his leadership the bustling under bridge market in front of the command gate, accommodating all manner of businesses is no longer in existence and the hoodlums who occupied the vicinity and constituted nuisance had been flushed out completely.
He therefore thanked the officers and men of the command for their loyalty, dedication, and hard work which has led to remarkable achievements.
Still, when Comptroller Patrick Ntadi took MAJAN executives around the site of a football pitch, basketball and volleyball court, being built by the command as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) he said the sporting facilities is provided for people living in the area, and is expected to reduce idleness, mental stress which could cause social vices such as drug abuse, stealing, and bullying among youths.
He further added that the provision of the sporting facilities in the area is to enable people to come and play game, which would eventually keep them busy and away from committing crime.
Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, expressed displeasure over the activities of some journalists who form the habit of misinforming the public about the operation of the command, adding that the purpose of
journalist is to inform the public objectively of what is happening in and around their society.
Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, who acknowledged the importance of journalists in every society, also added that the act of twisting stories or fabricating unconfirmed news is abuse to journalism profession and could lead to libel and defamation of character to institutions and personalities.
He added that giving people a bad opinion and saying false things about some body can lead to libel
Similarly, damaging some body’s reputation by saying or writing bad or false things about such person, can lead to defamation.
On this note, he advised newsmen to always do double check and confirm information before publication, to avoid writing bad or false things to misinform the general public.
He was grateful to MAJAN and journalists in the beat for speaking fearlessly and truthfully on matters concerning the sector, no matter whose ox was gored.
Commenting during the visit, the President of MAJAN, Jerry Aguigbo, on behalf of the association, thanked Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, for his warm reception and commended him for the on-going construction, reconstruction of physical structures and face-lift of the infrastructures at the command.
At the end of the visit, Jerry Aguigbo further said that with the level of work already done, Western Marine Command can now be compared to other government agencies round the world.
He however said the befitting new structures at the command is capable of rivalling what is obtainable at Nigeria Customs Service’s Headquarters in Abuja.
About The Author
