I Wept The Day I Visited Tinapa – Customs Comptroller

by crossriverwatch admin

Mr. Rekpene Bassey, Cross River State Security Adviser (left) and Mr. Yekini Atoyebi, Customs Comptroller in charge of Cross River and Akwa Ibom

Mr. Rekpene Bassey, Cross River State Security Adviser (left) and Mr. Atoyebi, Customs Comptroller in charge of Cross River and Akwa Ibom — Mr. Rekpene Bassey, Cross River State Security Adviser (left) and Mr. Yekini Atoyebi, Customs Comptroller in charge of Cross River and Akwa Ibom

Cross River and Akwa Ibom State Command Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs, Mr. Yekini Atoyebi has said that the first day he visited Tinapa Business and leisure resort he was dazed and wept so badly when he saw how desolate and wasted the place is currently.

Mr. Atoyebi who resumed duties in Calabar recently told the Cross River State Security Adviser, Mr. Rekpene Bassey during a courtesy call on Monday that some people in his entourage told him he was crying louder than the bereaved but he could not imagine how such gigantic infrastructure could be lying desolate “When in some places such infrastructure could be bringing in revenue that can keep a state running for months”.

According to the Customs Comptroller, the state government has to do everything to ensure the place is functioning even as an international company has taken over the place. “The lady in charge of the place came to my office after my visit and said AMCON has taken over the place but there is still need for the government to do something to return the place to what it was planned to be”.

He stated that the Customs had to intervene when operators of the resort started subjecting the policies and privileges operational in the place to manipulation and reckless abuse. “There is need for a stakeholders meeting among all the parties in Tinapa including the manufacturers, the business operators, management and Customs so that each will clearly understand its rights and privileges for a successful operation of the place”.

Mr. Rekpene Bassey, the State Security Adviser implored Atoyebi to ensure that officers and men of the command are vigilant to ensure that the Nigerian Inland Water Ways Jetty on which vessels from neighboring countries like Cameroon Equatorial Guinea and Gabon berth is not used to import items used in the production of explosive devices by terrorists.

He also appealed to the federal government to provide the Customs the needed equipment and incentives to do their work well. “I understand that the Customs generate income next to oil for this country and in my view it is necessary for the geese that lays the golden egg to be fed with golden feeds so the Federal Government should provide you with the necessary equipment and take good care of your welfare too”.