By Ralph Omololu Agbana.
Hon. Leke Abejide, Chairman, House Committee on Customs and Excise has reaffirmed the Committee’s resolve to critically assess the operations, revenue performance and capital projects of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in line with the 2023 and 2024 budgetary approvals.
Abejide made this known during the visits by his Committee to Seme and Idiroko Area Commands in Lagos and Ogun States, respectively. Other members of the committee on the entourage were Hon. Festus Adefisoye, Hon. Francis Ejiro, Hon Taofeq Ajilesoro, Hon. Thaddeus, Hon. Bayo Balogun Hon. Shina Oyedeji and Hon. Peter, Hon Aliyu Mustapha, Hon. Gboyega Isiaka, Hon. Fatima Garuba and Hon. Abdullahi Kalamanbai. Others are Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Hon. Balogun, Hon. Sesi, Hon. Hassan Shehu, Hon. Mariam.
The Committee assignment, which commenced on Monday, is part of the statutory oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly as enshrined in section 88 and 89 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Kogi lawmaker who led the visitors asserted: “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 2025 budget”.
More so, he emphasised 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. Hon. Abejide assured that the welfare of customs officers are of equal priority, encouraging the Command to use the opportunity to present actionable needs
for inclusion in 2025 budget.
The visit concluded with mutual assurances of continuous collaboration in strengthening Nigeria Customs Service as a key driver of economic development, regional integration and national security even as the Committee Chairman commended Oramalugo and his officials for their giant strides.
In his remarks, Seme Area Command Comptroller, Dr Ben Oramalugo who received the House Committee members, expressed deep appreciation for the visit, describing it as a strong demonstration of their Committee towards enhancing Customs administration, trade facilitation and national revenue optimisation.
He highlighted the strategic importance of the Joint Border Post (JBP) along 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 one-stop border post model.
Recall that since assuming office on February 11, 2025, Comptroller Oramalugo has focused on four key mandates: revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, and inter-agency collaboration. Under his supervision, Seme Command has recorded significant achievements including revenue collection through improved compliance, risk Management and enforcement.
On anti-smuggling drive, the Command recorded seizures of petroleum products, narcotics, foreign rice, poultry, vehicles, foreign rice and others, with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N855.7million, from January to March, 2025.
The Comptroller outlined several operational challenges faced by the Command, including poor infrastructure, shortage of personnel and equipment, lack of power supply for over Seven (7) 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.
Oramalugo disclosed that his Command has made remarkable achievement in export trade facilitation, as the Command recorded 96,000 metric tons of exports, with Free On Board value of approximately
N20.5billion in the first quarter of 2025 fiscal year. Also, Seme Command boosted the federation Account with approximately N2billion within the same period under review.
