By Sylvanus OBASI
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi has expressed readiness to attend the 2025 Edition of the MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL).
The lecture, which is the flagship event of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) is scheduled to hold on August 27, 2025, at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel, Victoria Island.
Comptroller Ntadi, speaking during a courtesy visit by the Executive Council (EXCO) of MARAN to the Comptroller on Monday, August 4, 2025 , expressed readiness to attend the event.
“Of course, I will be willing to attend the event as the topic is very germane and critical towards addressing factors that contribute to the rising cost of goods in the country”.
Earlier, Comptroller Ntadi who took the MARAN executives on a tour of the command showcased what he has been able to achieve in just over two months of assuming duty at the command.
The first visible facelift that greets any visitor to the command is the new look of the command.
The fence and edifice are wearing a fresh coat of paint while a befitting signpost is under construction at the junction leading to the command.
Also, the once dilapidated surroundings—marked by shanties and security vulnerabilities—have been cleared and remodeled.
This transformation has not only boosted the morale among officers but also projects a professional image befitting a strategic Customs outpost such as the Western Marine Command.
‘The presence of the shanties and activities of suspicious elements milling around the shanties pose a serious security risk, so, the first thing we did was to clear the shanties after giving those encroaching on the property a month’s notice to quit’ he ventured.
The jetties at the Command are also been given a face lift with the ongoing renovation and cconstruction with workers working round the clock to deliver the job on time.
Also, a befitting office complex is being constructed by the Customs management under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, with Comptroller Ntadi expressing optimism on the completion of the project before the end of the year.
Comptroller Ntadi is also leaving no stones unturned in the fight against smuggling activities.
He disclosed that a few days ago, 503 bags of rice were seized and six boats used in smuggling the rice were also arrested by the command along the Badagry axis.
Earlier, the President of the association, Mr Godfrey Bivbere expressed the readiness of the association to accord the Comptroller with the needed support to assist him achieve success on his mandate.
“MARAN is committed to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the command to enable it deliver on it’s mandate.
“We are willing and open to work with the command” he said.
