The Comptroller General Of the Nigeria Customs Service, Wale Adeniyi, has since his assumption of office, gone on a tour to see the operations and activities of the Customs Service at the Seme border post, in Lagos.
On hand to receive the CG, was the Area Controller of the Seme/ Krake border post, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni.
In his welcome address and report of the activities of operations that have been on going since he resumed command in January 2023.
Nnadi spoke extensively on the history of the Nigeria Customs Service being stationed at the point of entry into the country, the challenges of border control and how they situation has been calmed by the institution of a joint border post control with the Customs Service of the Federal Republic Of Benin and other sister security agencies in Nigeria for strengthened border safety.
Nnadi noted that the Customs Service has done a lot of partnerships with border communities, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Security, the Nigerian Immigration Service amongst other Security outfits. He also spoke on the duties assigned to his office which chiefly states for revenue collection and ensuring that the borders are not overtaken by smuggling and other illegal activities.
Speaking further, Dera Nnadi mni gave accurate figures on the volume of trade across the West African region, how the ECOWAS region needs to foster their trade within member states, the recorded anti economic activities that have saved the country so much in revenue collection. He gave the Key Performing Indicators of his command and how they have hit 7%%( N1, 392,589,937.28) as of Thursday 20th July, 2023 their required yearly target, which stands at N1, 960, 000,000. That is likely to be surpassed and doubled before the end of the year.
The Seme/Krake joint border post has fostered good communal relations, inter agency collaborations, working with the Customs Service in the Federal Republic Of Benin and improving on the facilities of the Nigeria Customs Service spread out on 17 acres of land. He also has excellent woking relationship with traditional rulers, community leaders and youth from the border communities.
In his response to the Area Controller’s welcome address and briefing, the Comptroller General, Wale Adeniyi welcomed the new developments he saw on ground at the Customs Command. He was appreciative of the preparations for his visit especially with the huge turn out from traditional rulers, community leaders, sister Security agencies and their counterparts from the Federal Republic Of Benin.
Comptroller General Wale Adeniyi made remarks on choosing the Seme/Krake Command as his first port of call upon assumption of office due to the Chairman of ECOWAS and President and Commander In Chief Of Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), recommendations and also from the authorities of the Federal Republic Of Benin upon consultation with the president. He could not over emphasize on the strategic position the command holds as a leading frontier border that connects several states in Nigeria and many countries in the West African sub region and other African States as a trade route that predates Nigeria’s independence. He spoke for the need for West African countries to capitalize on their shared interests to build strong trade and economic relations and prosperity. Touching on trade partnerships with neighbouring countries especially.
He enjoined the officers and men of the Command and other Security agencies not to seek glory in agency achievements but shared goals to keep the sovereignty of Nigeria and ensure security at all time. Their collaboration and synergy should be shared, to strike a right balance in the area of security.He also assured on the proactive move the government is making towards suspending custom duties within states of ECOWAS to ensure free trade and movement of people across the borders.
He commended the area controller and said his efforts were not unnoticed and there would be more input into the affairs at the command with higher directives.
