The Zonal Coordinator, Zone `A’, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller-General Eporwei Edike has decried the frequent attacks on Customs officiers by youths in Seme area of Lagos.
Edike made the remark while addressing stakeholders of host communities at a Customs Community Consultative Forum held at the Customs Seme Area Command in Seme.
He urged the stakeholders to address their subjects to stop the violent attacks on Customs officers.
According to him, “the incessant clashes between Customs officers and people in the host communities are becoming too frequent and it is alarming to the Comptroller -General of Customs.
“There must be a cordial relationship between the host communities and Customs officials as both parties must learn to live together as one so that the parties can discharge their duties cordially.
“The frequent attack by youths in the communities on Customs officials who are discharging their duties lawfully is worrisome.
“So the chiefs should talk to their subjects so that they can apply wisdom in what they do.
“People should not see Customs officials as their enemies but they should them as people who are carrying out the instructions of the Federal Government to generate revenue so as to help the country.
“People must learn that violence can never solve problems but would worsen it. So we must learn to live with each other peacefully,’’ he admonished.
The Assistant Comptroller-General also advised Customs officers to carry out their duties professionally.
“Customs officers are well trained and educated in carrying out their duties but there are some over-zealous ones who must be cautioned and would be dealt with accordingly.
“We frown at situations where Customs officers make licensed agents to overpay for the duty of products and people must also pay the duty on products or items that are bought.
“People should desist from any form of smuggling as it has negative effects on the economy of the country; and we all know how things are difficult in the country at the moment.
“We must encourage legitimate trade so as to improve the situation of the country, ‘’ NAN quotes Edike as saying.
He said that the number of checkpoints was determined by the Area Controller of a command but it is done in accordance with the law.
The Sole Administrator, Badagry West, Mr Genesis Williams, urged the Seme command to reduce the multiple checkpoints on the road noting that it results to traffic.
“There are so many checkpoints on the Badagry/Seme expressway and this result to heavy traffic,
“The situation is also escalated by Customs officials on the road.
“Vehicles that are being examined should be parked by the side of the road so that other road users can have access to go,’’ he said.
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