The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has pledged legislative backing to the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service following appeals for urgent intervention in key infrastructural challenges, including a prolonged power outage that has crippled operations in the Seme border region for over seven years.

Led by Chairman Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, the Committee visited the Command on Monday, April 7, 2025, as part of its statutory oversight responsibilities to evaluate Customs operations, revenue performance, and implementation of capital projects in line with the 2023 and 2024 budgetary provisions.

Speaking during the visit, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo, PhD, appreciated the lawmakers for their presence, describing the visit as a strong show of support for efforts aimed at strengthening Customs operations, trade facilitation, and revenue generation.

Dr. Oramalugo outlined the Command’s performance since he assumed office on February 11, 2025, stating that the Seme Command generated over ₦1.98 billion in revenue in the first quarter of the year. He added that export activities were boosted with over 96,000 metric tonnes of goods processed, valued at ₦20.45 billion Free on Board. He also reported that the Command made several high-value seizures, including petroleum products, narcotics, foreign rice, poultry, and vehicles, with a Duty Paid Value of ₦855.7 million.

While highlighting these achievements, the Comptroller drew the Committee’s attention to lingering operational challenges. He listed poor infrastructure, shortage of personnel and equipment, lack of modern technology, ocean encroachment, and a total absence of power supply in the Seme axis for over seven years as major issues hampering the Command’s efficiency. He appealed for government support in addressing these concerns, especially through better funding, project monitoring, and enforcement of contractual obligations on abandoned infrastructure.

He also emphasized the strategic role of the Joint Border Post (JBP) along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, which facilitates bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Benin and improves customs clearance procedures through a one-stop model.

In his response, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide assured the Command of the Committee’s readiness to reflect the pressing needs in the 2025 budget. He noted that the oversight visit was to assess operations and ensure alignment with appropriated funds, while determining which projects and programs should be retained or removed.

“We are here to evaluate your operations, revenue performance, and ongoing projects to determine how well they align with budgetary allocations. We also want to know the impact of e-Customs, your progress in suppressing smuggling, and how you are enhancing Nigeria’s trade competitiveness,” Abejide said.

He further emphasized that the welfare of Customs officers remains a top priority and encouraged the Command to present clear and actionable needs for inclusion in future budget cycles.

The visit ended with renewed assurances of collaboration between the National Assembly and the Nigeria Customs Service to boost economic growth, regional trade integration, and national security.