Seme Customs Command generates ₦1.3 billion in three months

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos, Nigeria has reported revenue generation of approximately ₦1.3 billion in the first quarter of 2025.

This was disclosed by the Comptroller of the Command, Benedict Oramalugo, during an oversight visit by the House Committee on Customs and Excise to the Seme Border Area Command in Lagos State.

Comptroller Oramalugo also revealed that within the same period, the Command intercepted and seized goods with a duty-paid value (DPV) exceeding ₦800 million, reinforcing its commitment to the suppression of smuggling and enhancement of national revenue.

Meanwhile, the Committee has expressed dissatisfaction with the execution of ongoing projects in the area and has threatened to blacklist defaulting contractors responsible for various infrastructural developments at the Seme Border.

The Comptroller used the opportunity to appeal to the National Assembly for urgent intervention to address ocean surge issues that threaten the structural integrity and continued existence of the Command’s base.

During the visit, Hon. Leke Abejide (ADC, Kogi), Chairman of the Committee, strongly criticised contractors who fail to deliver on awarded projects. He emphasised that the projects are crucial to the effective functioning of the Command, which operates the busiest land border in Nigeria in terms of revenue generation.

“We are obligated to investigate the reasons for the failure of contractors to execute these projects. Any contractor found to have deliberately sabotaged Customs operations will be duly sanctioned,” Hon. Abejide stated.

He directed the Command to furnish the Committee with detailed documentation on all ongoing projects, including their costs, contractors involved, and the status of execution.

Hon. Abejide explained that the purpose of the visit was to inspect operations, examine records, and review project execution in line with budgetary allocations for 2023 and 2024.

“Our findings will inform decisions on what to approve or remove in the 2025 budget, particularly where there is clear evidence of non-performance,” he said.

The Committee also sought information on the extent to which the Command’s operations facilitate trade and increase patronage of Nigerian ports;the efficiency in curbing smuggling; efforts in blocking revenue leakages and optimising collections; challenges affecting the welfare of officers and the effectiveness of operations.

“You rarely get visits like this. Use this opportunity to table your challenges. If they can be addressed through the budget, we’ll ensure they are captured and implemented in the 2025 appropriation,” Abejide assured.

The Committee also inquired about the impact of E-Customs integration, particularly in revenue optimisation, trade facilitation, and smuggling suppression. They requested feedback on whether the NCIS or B’odogu platform is more effective in aiding the Command’s duties.

In response, Comptroller Oramalugo confirmed that the Command is still operating on the NCIS platform, but noted that the Service Headquarters has deployed officers to begin training personnel on the B’odogu platform in preparation for its adoption.