The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has appealed for urgent government intervention to address longstanding infrastructure decay and operational setbacks, as members of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise embarked on an oversight visit to the border post on Monday, April 7, 2025.

The visiting lawmakers, led by the Committee Chairman, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, were at the Command to assess performance, inspect ongoing projects, and review the Command’s alignment with budgetary allocations in line with the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight role.

During an interactive session with the legislators, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo, lamented the Command’s operational difficulties, especially the persistent lack of electricity supply in the Seme axis for over seven years. He described the situation as detrimental to Customs operations and national economic interest.

Dr. Oramalugo also decried the state of infrastructure, shortage of personnel and equipment, ocean encroachment, and poor enforcement of contracts on stalled government projects. He urged the Committee to help facilitate timely intervention, especially in the areas of technology deployment and environmental protection.

Despite these challenges, the Comptroller showcased notable progress recorded under his leadership since assuming office in February 2025. He noted that the Command generated over ₦1.98 billion in revenue in the first quarter, facilitated exports valued at more than ₦20.45 billion, and made seizures of smuggled items worth ₦855.7 million in Duty Paid Value.

He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Joint Border Post (JBP) along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, which fosters bilateral trade cooperation and intelligence sharing between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. The one-stop border post model, according to him, is vital for regional trade and Customs modernization.

In response, Rt. Hon. Abejide commended the efforts of the Command and assured that the Committee would take stock of the issues raised. He said the visit was intended to evaluate the application of funds, track progress on key projects, and identify critical areas that require budgetary prioritization.

“We are not just here to check figures. We want to understand the realities on the ground and ensure that public funds are properly utilized. The information you provide will guide our decisions as we prepare the 2025 budget,” Abejide stated.

He emphasized the need for measurable data on revenue targets, adoption of digital Customs processes, and anti-smuggling operations. He further assured the officers that their welfare would not be neglected in the Committee’s considerations.

The visit ended with renewed commitments to deepen collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Assembly to drive economic transformation, strengthen border security, and enhance Nigeria’s global trade position.