By Tony NZEKWE
In accordance the tripod policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, hinged on Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation as a veritable tool for more revenue generation, suppression of smuggling activities and create robust synergies in trade facilitation; the Customs Area Controller in charge of Seme Customs Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has begun his era as the newly deployed Unit Head with a familiarisation visit to sister security agencies along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
This information was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Command, Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs, Tunde Ayagbalo.
In the familiarization visit, speaking at the 243 Recce Battalion Ibereko Barracks in Badagry, the Customs Area Controller explained that the aim of his visit is to familiarize and seek cooperation in executing his statutory responsibility as a Customs Area Controller.
Comptroller Kaila, asserted, “Seme border is known to be a critical gateway for trade and services between Nigeria and other countries. If you look at the volume of trade taking place here, movement of people and cross-border activities, one can easily say Seme is a sensitive and critical strategic economic corridor and that is why we need continuous collaboration, intelligence sharing and mutual support.”
The CAC reiterated the need for synergy between sister security agencies with a view to ensure economic stability and general well-being of the people particularly those residing in border communities. He urged his counterpart for collaboration in fulfilling their shared mandate.
In his response, the Commanding Officer, 243 Recce Battalion, Lt. Colonel Ambrose Ikoro, commended the crucial roles of the Service in ensuring border security.
His words: “I know the synergy and cooperation that exist between the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Customs Service. We have also pledged to maintain and improve upon what we have built. Supporting the Customs is necessary and our COAS has said we as a unit operating in border area is to support every relevant security agencies which of course Customs falls among them.”
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Badagry, the 15 Field Engineer Regiment of Nigerian Army, Topo Badagry and NAFDAC Office at Seme signifying commitment to strengthen inter agency collaboration and eradicating trade barriers.
