BY CAROLINE AMOSUN
The Nigerian Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has raised concerns about the severe impact of the prolonged closure of the Seme border on revenue generation.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller, Dera Nnadi, shared figures during a media briefing on the Command’s First Quarter performance, highlighting the challenges faced by the Command since the border closure.
Nnadi stated that the Command’s major source of revenue, which includes import and export activities, has not improved despite the reopening of the land borders as directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He said traders are still struggling to overcome the challenges of being out of business for over two years, resulting in a significant revenue loss for the Command.
In addition to the revenue challenges, Nnadi disclosed that the Command has made seizures of prohibited items.
These include 1,160 pieces of dead rats, 1,102 pieces of dead tiny birds, 34 pieces of monkey skin, and 14 parcels of cannabis sativa.
These seizures highlight the Command’s continued efforts to enforce customs regulations and combat illegal activities at the Seme border.
Furthermore, the Command has also handed over fake $6 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, along with other seized items, as part of its commitment to working with partner government agencies to address illegal activities and uphold the rule of law at the border.
He said the prolonged closure of the Seme border has posed significant challenges to the Nigerian Customs Service, with revenue generation being severely impacted.
Despite these challenges, he said the Command remains committed to its mandate of enforcing customs regulations, preventing illegal activities, and ensuring compliance with government directives.
He said that efforts to find solutions and mitigate the negative effects of the border closure on revenue generation at the Seme border continues to be a priority for the Command.
