The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has informed the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise that poor infrastructure, lack of power supply for over seven years in the entire Seme axis, shortage of personnel and equipment and ocean encroachment are hindering its operations.
The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Dr Ben Oramalugo, made this statement during the Committee’s oversight visit to the command, which is part of the National Assembly’s statutory oversight responsibilities as enshrined in Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Welcoming the delegation, Oramalugo described the Committee’s visit as a strong demonstration of their commitment to enhancing Customs administration, trade facilitation, and national revenue optimisation.
He called for urgent government intervention, especially in the areas of technology deployment, environmental protection and the enforcement of contractual obligations for stalled projects.
Oramalugo explained that since assuming office on February 11, 2025, he has focused on four key mandates, including revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations and inter-agency collaboration.
According to him, under his leadership, the Command has recorded significant achievements, including a boost in export activities, with over 96,000 metric tonnes of goods valued at N20.5 billion facilitated from January to March 2025.
On revenue generation, Oramalugo reported that the Command generated N1.99 billion in the first quarter of 2025 through improved compliance, risk management, and enforcement.
In terms of anti-smuggling activities, he noted that in the same period under review, the command made several seizures, including petroleum products, narcotics, foreign rice, poultry, vehicles, and foreign parboiled rice, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N855.7 million.
Oramalugo also 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 commitment to 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.
In response, the Chairman of the House Committee on Customs, 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 review your books, operations and ongoing projects to ensure alignment with appropriated funds and to identify areas for retention or removal in the 2025 budget,” Abejide stated.
He emphasised the need for the Command to provide data on revenue performance about targets, the impact of E-Customs and digital platforms, and efforts made to suppress smuggling and promote Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
Furthermore, Abejide assured that the welfare of Customs officers is a top priority, encouraging the Command to use the opportunity to present actionable needs for inclusion in the 2025 budget.
Guardian