One of the two patrol vessels that were acquired last year by the Nigeria Customs Service has been involved in an accident and is currently under repairs after it collided with another ship at berth.
Controller of the Western Marine Command of Customs; Comptroller Umar Yusuf who disclosed news of the accident to newsmen on Friday in Lagos, added that the vessel is currently undergoing repairs at the Continental Shipyard in Lagos.
It would be recalled that the former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs, Dikko Abdulahi Inde had purchased the two patrol vessels in order to properly curtail the activities of smugglers on the nation’s waterways.
The vessels are yet to be commissioned and put to use.
The Western Marine Controller said the accident has led to a delay in the commissioning of the two vessels by the incumbent Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Alli (rtd). He however expressed optimism that they would be unveiled by the customs’ boss in the second week of February.
He said, “this month Insha Allah, we are going to commission our mega edifice which are “Customs Pride and Group of Nine” because what delayed the launching of the vessels was because there was an accident where the vessels were anchored”
“Another ship hit Group of Nine and today , she will be going to effect the best repair for the one next week and that is why I can tell you that by next month, hopefully by the first or second week in February the CGC will be in Lagos to commission the monstrous edifice”
When commissioned, Umar affirmed that the marine arm of the customs will partner with the Nigerian Navy in combating illegal activities in the nation’s territorial waters noting that there will be no hiding place for miscreants at sea.
He added that the CGC had met with the Chief of Naval Staff on how the marine officers would be trained in accordance with the strength of the Navy at sea.
He further added that the command has repaired and refurbished five patrol vehicles and 14 patrol crafts, including gun boats, water buses and speed boats.
When asked about crews that will man the vessels, Controller Umar stated that “It is one thing to have edifices when billions of naira are spent on those vessels and it is another thing to maintain them and part of maintenance is having the right crew, involving engineers , captains and what have you”
“Now according to the contractual agreement they are to maintain the vessel for one year and right now they have their captains and engineers on board”
“We maintain skeletal service right now and we are going to draw a roaster where some of our officers will undergo some training for the operation in the main time”, he added.
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