Comptroller Dim, Eastern Marine Customs Boss Strengthens Collaboration with South-South Stakeholders, Embarks on Familiarization Visit

With the recent emergence through redeployment of Comptroller CC Dim as the Customs Area Controller (CAC) In Charge of Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), there are palpable fears that have currently erupted in the camp of waterways smugglers and sea robbers owning to the recent steps being taken by the leadership of the command.

Comptroller CC Dim, CAC, Eastern Marine Command, NCS

Comptroller Dim is a renowned professionally inclined officer of customs whose antecedents in various units he had held sway within the service speaks loud volume, with indelible footprint.

TransQuest recalled his escapades as a Deputy Comptroller of Customs and while he held sway as Officer In Charge of SCOA and Export Seat where he respectively performed beyond expectation and changing the fortune of the units in terms of revenue, reorganizing and physically overhauling its structures for a better working environment. 

Saddled with the affairs of the Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service as a full fledge Comptroller, it is optimistic that Comptroller CC Dim will bring to bear his experience and expertise to improve the lot of the command for greater efficiency.

Comptroller Dim inspecting some of the command’s working tools

Already, as part of his measures tailored towards this enhancement and efficiency route, the CAC recently embarked on a two-day familiarization working visit to outstations in Onne, Akwa-Ibom, and Calabar from May 30th to 31st, 2024. He said that, the visit aimed to enhance collaboration, inspect facilities, and engage with stakeholders in the maritime domain.

According to the statement from the command, the visit began with a meeting with officers at the Onne Outstation, where Comptroller CC DIM addressed the importance of securing the maritime domain and proper maintenance of gun boats. He emphasized the need for adherence to the service’s standard operating procedures (SOP) and encouraged the officers to take pride in their work.

Later on the day, Comptroller CC DIM had a stopover at the CAC Onne Area 2 Command, where he met with Comptroller M Babandede, wher they discussed ways to deepen formidable collaboration, even as Comptroller Babandede expressed his willingness to support the Eastern Marine Command in achieving its set goals.

The next stop according to the statement was a visit to the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base at Ibaka, where Comptroller CC DIM met with the Commanding Officer, Captain U Aneke.

Focus of discussion at the meeting include ways to deepen collaboration in the marine domain in the Ibaka area, as Comptroller CC DIM commended the Commanding Officer (CO) and his officers for their efforts in securing the area and preventing illegal activities.

The visit also included a stopover at the Comptroller CG OGBONNA led Akwa Ibom, FTZ Calabar Command, where the two Comptrollers had a fruitful discussion ways to improve collaboration and ensure effective operations in the region. Comptroller CC Dim was said to have expressed his desire to strengthen the presence of the Eastern Marine Command in the Calabar area and zone.

In the course of the visits, the battle ready EMC Comptroller inspected conditions of customs facilities and tools under its Area of Responsibility (AoR) such as Customs gun boats docked at Onne and at Marine Police Jetty in Oron, where he emphasized the need for proper maintenance to ensure optimal performance.

The familiarization visit which aligns with the Comptroller General’s focus on collaboration and emphasis on working together to secure Nigeria’s maritime environment, was deemed a successful, as it provides opportunity for newly posted CAC to meet with officers, assess facilities, and strengthen partnerships within the maritime domain.

In his remarks, Comptroller CC Dim reiterated the importance of collaboration and emphasized that the Eastern Marine Command is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the security of the maritime domain in the South-South region.

According to the CAC, the familiarization visits demonstrate the command’s commitment to enhancing collaboration and securing the maritime domain in the South-South region.