Immediate past Controller of Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service; Comptroller Usman Bello has blamed attacks by sea pirates in Rivers State for the shortfall in revenue collected through imports in the state.
Comptroller Bello, who retired from Service last Monday, explained that the activities of sea pirates have discouraged importers and ship owners from patronising the region.
“If you are bringing your vessels into the state and along the waterways they are hijacked and attacked, they will not come again”, he said.
The retired customs boss explained that such a situation was capable of negatively affecting the revenue base of the state.
Comptroller Bello disclosed that his command has been tackling the challenges of piracy activities through the collaboration with other security agencies, especially the Nigerian Navy.
He however, described Rivers State as an economically viable state because of the presence of major seaports.
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