AKHA moves to salvage custom base from insecurity

The Deputy Chief Whip of Akwa   Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Otuekong Nse Essien, has described the harbour of the Nigeria Custom Service, Eastern Marine, Oron Out-station has “not habitable”.

Otuekong Essien stated this on Wednesday, July 22, when the House Committee on Security, Youth and Sports went on fact finding mission to the Command.

He said, “this place is not habitable, what you call Barrack is not barrack”, saying that a barrack should be well funded by the Federal Government, since it is Federal Government establishment.

He also noted that the whole place was not functioning as they don’t have access road, electricity and perimeter fence around the building. “Nothing is functioning here, how do you evacuate your men in case of invasion by militants, since there is no access road to this place”, he questioned.

Continuing, Otuekong Essien who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Committee said he was surprised that only one officer present during the visit had a dagger with him while others had no raffle in case of any emergency. In his words “none of you here now have a weapon in case of any invasion except one with a dagger”.

He however sympathized with the Command for the lost of their officer during the raid of the base by militant and urged the Federal Government to live up to its expectations by providing the necessary machineries in place to ensure the safety of the officers and men of the command.

Addressing the visitors on behalf the Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, the PRO, Ukpen Dikke, said the command has been subjected to series of attack by militant regularly, giving an instant of recent killing of an officer by the militant and carted away 10 out of the 14 raffles they had. 

“The militant came through the waterways using a boat and attack my officers who were on duty. They break our armoury and cart away 10 out of the 14 we had killing one of my men in the process and injuring others”.
He used the opportunity to call on the government to their aide by giving the good access road, perimeter fence and electricity, noting that the environment is always dark at night.

He also appealed for the government to provide them with life serving appliances, life jacket and gunboat for their operation.
On his part, the Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon Victor Udofia, promised the Customs Officers of the state government readiness to partner with security operatives in the area. He stressed that every life is very important and should not be wasted, and thank the officers for coming out to receive them.

He also promised that the committee will include all their demands in its reports to 6th assembly.

In the delegation, was the chairman of the committee, Rt. Hon Victor Udofia, Otuekong Nse Essien - Deputy Chairman, Hon Emmanuel Ekpenyong, Rt. Hon Uduak Ududo and Hon. Samuel Ufuo.