Ambassador To Benin Republic; Obisakin Hails Seme Customs Command

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic; Mr Lawrence Obisakin,  has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its improved revenue drive.
The ambassador made the commendation on Thursday at Seme border town near Lagos, when he paid a familiarisation visit to the Area Controller of Customs, Seme Command; Alhaji Sadiq Sahabi
He said that the Seme Command of the NCS generated N9 billion in May 2012, which was the command’s highest revenue ever.
“This is contrary to the more than N3 billion collected from January to July 31, 2011.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic; Mr Lawrence Obisakin,  has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its improved revenue drive.
The ambassador made the commendation on Thursday at Seme border town near Lagos, when he paid a familiarisation visit to the Area Controller of Customs, Seme Command; Alhaji Sadiq Sahabi
He said that the Seme Command of the NCS generated N9 billion in May 2012, which was the command’s highest revenue ever.
“This is contrary to the more than N3 billion collected from January to July 31, 2011.
“I am happy with the improved revenue drive by Seme Command,’’ he said.
The Seme border Customs Command which generated N6.9 billion in 2011 fiscal year, has a target of N9.6 billion for the current year.
The ambassador urged the authorities of the command to ensure tight security at the Seme-Krake border.
He said although the command had met its revenue target by 60 per cent, there was the need for constant border patrol and surveillance, with a view to ensuring the security of the nation.
Obisakin decried the constant smuggling of petroleum products across Owode border post, extortion of travellers and smuggling of contrabands into the country.
Responding, Sahabi, who said that smuggling did not take place at Seme, agreed that it was peculiar to Owode Border.
“The command has been consulting with traditional rulers in the area and the management of the Badagry West LCDA to prevail on their people to desist from smuggling across the border,” he said.
He said that a host of illegal routes, non-cooperation of Benin Republic law enforcement agencies and the cold war between the officers of the countries over the control of ECOWAS building were responsible for the smuggling.
Prior to the ceding of the ECOWAS building area to the sub-region body, Benin Republic Gendarmes had subjected Nigerians to constant harassment and arrest.