By Bello Hamza, Abuja
Being a press statement signed by the Regional 1st Vice President of West African Action Network on small arms (WAANSA) Mr. Martin Igwe after returning from International Conference on Border Studies in FEZ Morocco. Considering the relevance of Nigerian Custom Service towards Regional development we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly Leadership and all Nigerians to support the Nigerian Custom Service.
Promoting the renewed commitment in the International Trade facilitations and continuous protection of our borders can energize their desire to meet up with their targeted annual revenue which have the capacity to turn around development in other sector of the economy.
It is very important to mobilize more funds for Custom Operation, strengthen their capacity through training with the latest technology and in line with best global practices. It remains disturbing to note that about 1,500 land border crossing into Nigeria only 114 covering only 4,000 Square kilometers had approved control post with a coastline of 774Km which are largely unmarred.
These are the areas criminal elements exploit to unleash crime to innocent Nigerians. Hence support for Nigeria Custom Service will not only safeguard the country but activate opportunities for more revenue and genuine economic activities in our border communities as done in other parts of world. Waansa will continue to mobilize civil societies to support Nigerian Custom Service as it remains an indirect act to reduce the menance of infiltration of small arms and light weapons and sustain regional peace and development.
Existing channels of communication will be expanded, feedbacks on strategies to advance the course of border security and other visions of Nigerian Custom Service will be recommended for necessary policy actionas our demonstration of support now and always.
