The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Navy to ensure the maintenance of the NCS fleet of vessels. This collaboration, as revealed by the NCS Comptroller General, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, aims to strengthen the NCS’s presence in Nigeria’s territorial waters to combat smuggling activities.

During his visit to the Naval Dockyard in Lagos, Adeniyi expressed confidence in the Nigerian Navy’s expertise and capacity to effectively maintain the NCS fleet of vessels. He emphasized the cost-effectiveness of leveraging the Naval Dockyard’s existing knowledge and resources instead of establishing a separate vessel maintenance unit.

“We don’t need to establish a vessel maintenance unit; it’s capital intensive, but we have an agency of government that has the knowledge, that has the capacity and there’s the willingness for them to assist us,” Adeniyi conveyed.

He further highlighted the significance of fortifying the NCS’s presence in Nigeria’s coastal waters to curtail smuggling activities. Adeniyi emphasized the need to not only secure the land borders but also to maintain a robust presence in the territorial waters to deter smugglers from exploiting any loopholes.

Responding to this collaborative initiative, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Naval Dockyard Ltd., Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, affirmed the pivotal role of the Naval dockyard in vessel maintenance, repairs, and shipbuilding. Orederu acknowledged the Nigeria Customs Service as a valuable ally and expressed confidence in the Naval Dockyard’s capacity to support not only the NCS but also other maritime stakeholders and the shipping industry at large.

The collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Navy heralds a milestone in maritime security and maintenance, promising a fortified shield against smuggling activities within Nigeria’s territorial waters. With the amalgamation of expertise and resources, this partnership is set to elevate the efficacy of vessel maintenance, ultimately reinforcing Nigeria’s maritime security framework.

This partnership is a testament to the dedication of both agencies in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and territorial waters, underscoring a harmonious alliance charged with the responsibility of upholding maritime security.