• Proposes N6Billion Appropriation From FG
There are indications that the recently-introduced Task Force on Combating Importation of Goods, Small Arms, Ammunitions and Light Weapons is already scheming to transmute into a full-fledge organ of the Federal Government with presence is virtually all entry points in the country.
This hint was dropped last weekend by the chairman, Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Chief Osita Okereke in reaction to allegations that the task force is unnecessary in the nation’s seaports.
Okereke whose claim to the presidency is still being challenged by another top member of the association; Chief Onuchukwu James Clark told Shipping Position Weekly that its proposal for inclusion in the 2011 appropriation as an agency under the Federal Ministry of Interior is already receiving attention.
The Task Force was created based on the recommendations of IMAN and it is currently one of the agencies in the seaports, airports and border points throughout the country, even though it does not enjoy any status under the law.
Although this claim could not be ascertained at the ministry of interior as at press time, members of IMAN confirmed that the budget proposal is before the ministry for consideration, but when reminded that it is only an ad hoc agency, Chief Okereke disclosed further that the task force will have a budget of N6Billion next year.
He also confirmed that the leadership of the Task Force is appointed by the executive of IMAN; laying to rest arguments over IMAN’s right to replace the pioneer chairman, Major General Ikherie (rtd) with Mr EdwinTokmor (a retired Commissioner of Police).
“We formed that National Task Force to checkmate the importation of illegal goods, arms, ammunitions”, he stressed even as he affirmed that there are too many arms and ammunitions in the country. “Our security system is porous and we believe that the Task Force will achieve a lot” even as he criticized those who are going against the creation of the Task Force.
According to him, as importers, members of IMAN knows the route through which such dangerous cargoes come into the country and it relies on its network of informants all over the world to carry out its assignment.
“Those who don’t want us to be part of 100 percent examination are just wasting their time; he argued and maintained that government agencies that are saddled with the responsibilities of checkmating importation of unacceptable goods have demonstrated gross incompetence.
“If those agencies are serving their purposes, why are there so many ammunitions in Nigeria, why are people being kidnapped every day, no one can be kidnapped without arms”, he queried.
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