Seme Area Command Hosts House of Representatives Committee on Oversight Visit

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service recently played host to the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, led by Chairman Right Honourable Leke Abejide, on an oversight visit. The visit aimed to assess the command's operations, revenue performance, and capital projects in line with the 2023 and 2024 budgetary approvals.

Welcoming the delegation, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dr. Ben 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. Dr. 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.

The Comptroller 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 February 11, 2025, Dr. Oramalugo 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, including:

- *Revenue Generation*: The Command generated One Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Six Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira and Eighty-Five Kobo (₦1,986,395,565.86) in the first quarter of 2025 through improved compliance, risk management, and enforcement.

- *Trade Facilitation*: Export activities were notably boosted with over 96,000 metric tonnes of goods with a Free On Board value of Twenty Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Two Naira and Eighty-Seven Kobo (₦20,454,888,432.87) only, facilitated from January to March 2025.

- *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 Eight Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Seven Hundred Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Four Naira (₦855,700,524.00) only.

However, Comptroller Dr. Oramalugo outlined several operational challenges faced by the Command, including 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.

The Committee's 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. The Seme Area Command's achievements and challenges highlight the importance of effective customs administration in promoting trade facilitation and revenue generation.