The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has concluded plans to tighten the security of all marine borders across the country.

The acting comptroller general of the service, Caroline Adepoju, made this known to newsmen in Uyo on Saturday after her two-day familiarisation visit to the NIS, Akwa Ibom Command.

Mrs Adepoju said that the Akwa Ibom command had the longest coastal borders that must not be left porous to avoid nefarious activities within the maritime environment.

She said that since the federal government had tightened air and land borders across the country, marine borders would not be left porous.

Mrs Adepoju said that government was determined to provide necessary logistics to secure the blue borders.

“Like I said, the Akwa Ibom State Command houses one of our longest coastal borders and we are working hard as we have done in the air and land borders, we want to tighten the security around coastal borders.

“We don’t want the marine area, the blue borders of Nigeria to be porous. We don’t want people of shady characters to perpetrate nefarious activities using our blue borders.

“That is why I am here and since I came, I discovered that in Nigeria Immigration Service, we have trained officers, we have dedicated officers, we have people who are willing to work, but we are in need of logistics.

“We need the government to help us, we need gunboats to be able to patrol our coastal borders. We need good offices and residential accommodation for our personnel, who are working in these coastal borders,” Mrs Adepoju said.

She also assured officers and men of the command that government would continue to attach great importance to their welfare.

She charged the personnel to be dedicated and commitment to their duties as hard work would be rewarded.

Mrs Adepoju assured that although promotion would be given as and when due, such would be based on seniority, merit, professionalism and excellence.

“The welfare of personnel is paramount to me as the head of this organisation. Day and night, I think about how I can better your lots.

“Like we have done in the headquarters, we are conscious of difficulties associated with transportation these days because of the changes in the price of fuel.

“We have deployed some vehicles to assist them in their transportation. God willing, depending on the availability of funds, I will ensure that we send something for you here.

“Promotion is very crucial in boosting the morale of officers. Your promotion will be based on seniority, merit, hard work and professionalism, and there will be no other consideration than excellence.

“I can assure you that when the time comes for promotion, those who are qualified will be promoted,” she said.

Francisca Dakat, Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Akwa Ibom command, thanked the acting comptroller general for visiting the command.

Mrs Dakat said the acting comptroller general came to see the challenges confronting the command, especially in the manning of marine borders and had promised to provide logistics to the coastal borders.

The high point of the visit was the inauguration of the official residence of the Comptroller, NIS, Akwa Ibom Command.

(NAN)