By Innocent Orok
Comptroller Kayode Kolade of the Seme/ Krake Joint Border Post of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday decorated the newly promoted officers of the Command. Kolade while congratulating them also charged them to make positive impacts in the Service.
He said “Once again, congratulations to all of you, may this achievement inspire you to a greater heights to make a positive impact on the service.
“Similarly, let me use this medium to congratulate all officers and men of the Command, our esteem stakeholders on the occasion of 2025 International Customs Day (ICD) celebration. 26 of January in every year is Mark as World Customs Day celebration. The theme for this year is “Customs delivery on its commitment to efficiency, security and prosperity” In commemoration of this day, the Command has organized free medical outreach for our stakeholders, travellers and officers operating along the corridor.
“The exercise is going on presently at our inward and outward of the baggage hall. I encourage us to take advantage of this opportunity to know our health status.
Gentlemen of the press, upon my resumption of duty on the 3rd of September 2024, I pledge to consolidate on the achievements of my predecessors. We have kept faith with that as this will be explained in the following”.
Overall, 89 senior officers got promoted in the Command while 44 officers were promoted in the junior ranks.
Rolling out the performance of the command in the 2024 year, Comptroller Kolade said the Command has improved activities in revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling activities.
On revenue generation, the Command said it recorded an improved revenue collection during the 2024 fiscal year. “The Command as at 31st December 2024, collected a total of N7, 166,576, 397.49, representing 80% of the target performance. These figures are higher than, N5, 885, 697, 334. 62 collected in the corresponding period of 2023. This amount saw an upward increase of N1, 280, 879, 062.87, equivalent to 21.7% increase.”
“In the area of trade facilitation, the Command Export seat facilitated a total of 306, 039. 57 metric tonnes equivalent of 8487 trucks of export produce for the 2024 fiscal year with a free on board (FOB) value of N77, 867, 442, 730, which is equivalent to ($76, 687, 873. 81). The Nigeria Export supervision scheme (NESS) paid was N387, 875, 923.43. The surcharge paid during the 2024 fiscal year N87, 446, 397.00 only.”
While on anti- smuggling activities the Command said “it Enforcement Unit has sustained surveillance of our border against the illicit activities of the daredevil smugglers. This onslaught translates into 921 interceptions consisting of various contraband items for the year 2024.
” These items include: PMS: 40, 671 X 30 liters Jerry cans equivalent to 37 Tanker loads.
Rice: 11, 569 bags of 50kg each equivalent to 19 Trailers loads. 24 used vehicles and means of conveyance.1934 parcels of hard drugs and narcotics among others.
“The Duty Paid Value of these items stood at N1,895,175,942.00. Forty- eight (48) suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures during the period under review.
“Additionally, Comptroller Kolade said “let me also inform you that the Command also won an award as a “Best Land Border Command” in Trade Facilitation during the CGC Excellent Awards Night at Abuja in November 29, 2024. This award is recognition for modest contributions at the Seme Command for always striving for excellence. I thank the CGC and his management team for this recognition and assured him that the Command will continue to project the good image of the Service and the country as a frontier for trade in West and Central Africa Regions.
“The above successes recorded were as a result of painstaking efforts of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team for providing necessary tools and a conducive environment for officers to work. For instance here in Seme Command, there are massive constructions and renovations of Officers accommodations, offices ongoing and review of Officers allowances among others were major factors for the motivation.”, Comptroller Kolade said.
He appreciated the Seme Badagry Community, sister security agencies for their cooperation, and also Officers and Men of the Command for their gallantry and patriotism. Also “the media for highlighting our modest efforts in Seme Area Command.”