In its sustained effort to achieve trade facilitation and suppress smuggling, the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service pledges to eradicate barriers along the border corridor by engaging critical stakeholders
By Innocent Chukwu
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has pledged to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor through a robust collaboration and engagement with critical stakeholders.
Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, made this known during a series of familiarization visit to the Palace of traditional rulers and heads of sister security agencies signifying commitment to achieving the goals and objectives of the Service in line with the Federal government economic policies.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry Kingdom on the death of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I, who was a well-recognized and highly respected traditional ruler across the border communities.
A statement made available to journalists by the Customs Public Relations Officer of Seme Area Command, JT Ayagbalo, a Superintendent of Customs (SC), quoted the CAC as saying, “The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service. Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we cannot have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers.”
Responding, the King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added, “We have listened to your request. Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade.”
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border communities.
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required. In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate,” he added.
While at the Palace of the Alapa of Apa Kingdom, Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended Comptroller Kaila, maintaining that he (Kaila) is as a seasoned professional and a well- respected officer, as indigenes of the border communities describe him.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need. Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your present here, things will change for the better,” he said.
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, the controller visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air Force Base, Ahanve-Badagry. The Air Force Base formation expressed their readiness to always support the command in achieving its mandate. This was revealed by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy Medugu, where he added that both agencies shared similar purposes.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility. Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted,” he said.
The Area Controller ended his familiarization tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
