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SEME Customs CAC Fosters Synergy with Stakeholders to Fortify Border Security
By prince Benson Davies
In a bid to strengthen border security and enhance trade facilitation, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the SEME Command Comptroller Benedict Oramalugo has embarked on a stakeholder engagement drive. This initiative aims to foster synergy and collaboration among key stakeholders, including importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and other agencies involved in border operations. By promoting open communication and mutual understanding, the SEME Customs Command seeks to boost national security, prevent smuggling, and facilitate legitimate trade.
The CAC in line with these objectives led other top officers of the Seme Customs Command on a courtesy visit to Oba Akran of Badagry and the Oba of Ibekoro, which was an acknowledgement of traditional institutions’ roles in maintaining peace, stability and cooperation with the Service in achieving conducive environment for legitimate trade.
The team also visited top military formations and sister agencies which include the Nigeria Navy Forward Operation Base, Nigeria Army 243 RECCE Battalion Regiment, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria security and Civil Defense Corp and the Nigeria Immigration Service in Badagry.
Comptroller Ommalugo during the visits advocated the strengthening of intelligence sharing and more coordinated approach to tackling smuggling and other related border crimes.
According to him: “Effective stakeholder collaboration is the cornerstone for enhancing border security and national development which in turn optimises the nation’s revenue earnings.”
Comptroller Oramalugo also told the stakeholders, sister agencies and the local authorities that he is acting on the orders of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR in seeking synergy with them to succeed in the management of the nation’s border. He therefore called for their collaboration to enable the Service succeed in this regard in the overall interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
He further assured that he would run an open door policy in tandem with the policy thrust of the CGC, which revolves around consolidation, motivation and see collaboration.
