1 week Ago By Eugene Agha
By Eugene Agha The Seme border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it processed 96,000 metric tonnes of export consignments with a Free On Board value of N20.5 billion in the last three months. The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Dr.
Ben Oramalugo, who made this disclosure when he received the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, led by the Chairman, Leke Abejide, stated that the command also generated N1.99 billion in the first quarter of 2025 through improved compliance, risk management and enforcement. Members of the House Committee on Customs and Exercise were in Seme Border, Badagry on an oversight function to the command.
In his presentations to the House Committee Members, Dr. Oramalugo expressed deep appreciation for the Committee’s presence, describing it as a strong demonstration of their commitment to enhancing Customs administration, trade facilitation, and national revenue optimization. Comptroller Oramalugo highlighted the strategic importance of the Joint Border Post (JBP) along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, which serves as a vital hub for regional trade.
He reiterated the Command’s dedication to embracing the JBP initiative, which fosters cooperation with the Republic of Benin, promotes intelligence sharing, and improves customs clearance through the one-stop border post model. Since assuming office on 11th February 2025, the Comptroller has focused on four key mandates: revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, and inter-agency collaboration. Under his leadership, the Command has recorded significant achievements.
“In revenue generation: The Command generated N1, 990 billion in the first quarter of 2025 through improved compliance, risk management, and enforcement. “On trade facilitation: Export activities were notably boosted with over 96,000 metric tonnes of goods with a Free On Board value of N20.5 billion facilitated from January to March 2025.
“On Anti-Smuggling: From January to March 2025, several seizures were made ranging from petroleum products, narcotics, foreign rice, poultry, vehicles, foreign parboiled rice and more with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of;N8556 million only” he added He outlined some of the challenges faced by the Command including but not limited to poor infrastructure, shortage of personnel and equipment, lack of power supply for over seven years in the entire Seme axis, and ocean encroachment. He called for urgent government intervention, especially in technology deployment, environmental protection, and enforcement of contractual obligations on stalled projects. Responding, the Chairman of the House Committee on Customs, Rt.
Hon. Leke Abejide, reaffirmed the Committee’s resolve to critically assess the operations, revenue performance and capital projects in line with the 2023 and 2024 budgetary approvals. “We are here to check your books, operations, and ongoing projects to ensure alignment with appropriated funds and to determine areas for retention or removal in the 2025 budget,” Hon.
Abejide stated. He emphasized the need for the Command to provide data on revenue performance in relation to targets, impact of E-Customs and digital platforms and efforts made in suppressing smuggling and promoting Nigeria’s trade competitiveness. Furthermore, Hon.
Abejide assured that the welfare of Customs officers is of equal priority, encouraging the Command to use the opportunity to present actionable needs for inclusion in the 2025 budget. The visit concluded with mutual assurances of continued collaboration in strengthening the Nigeria Customs Service as a key driver of economic development, regional integration, and national security. Unlock AI's potential! Get top prompts for content, blogs, social media, research, draft proposals and more.
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