The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Ahmeed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), in a bid to fulfill his three point agenda of Restructure, Reform and Increase Revenue has taken the sensitization campaign by Customs to communities in the Seme/Badagry axis in order to ensure that peace and understanding reign between Customs Officers and the people of the communities within the Seme and Badagry area.

The CGC was represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone “A”, Assistant Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, ACG Eporwei Charles Edike. The Customs Area Controller of the Seme Command, Comptroller Victor David Dimka and senior officers of the Seme command were also part of the CGC delegation.

Addressing the stakeholders which consisted of Baales, High Chiefs and Youth Leaders, the CGC appealed to them to see Customs as friends and not their enemies. Speaking through the ACG Zone A, the CGC said “We are worried by cases of clashes between people in this area with Customs Officers. The worst part of it is that these clashes are taking lives. Human life is too precious to lose for any reason. We have come here to let you all know that as Nigerians we are one. The fact that Customs Officers wear uniform does not make them your enemies. They are your friends, brothers and sisters”.

Attributing the clashes to misunderstanding and lack of compliance to Laws of the Federation on Trade and lack of proper human relations between the communities and Federal Government Agencies working in the border, the ACG called for improved working relations among all stakeholders in the border.

In his words “Violence has never been known to produce any good thing. It only brings regrets, disgrace, shame and pains. It causes retrogression instead of progression. The youths should be patient. They should take things easy. They must control their emotions. Customs Officers nor any other government officers must not be provoked by words or acts of disobedience”.

To avoid confusion and in order for people in the border communities not to feign ignorance, List of items that can be imported into the country, not for trade but personal use only (Absolute Prohibition Trade), list of items that cannot be imported for any reason, Absolute Prohibition, and list of Items that cannot be exported, Export Prohibition list were read out, explained and handed over to the community leaders.

The ACG tasked the Chiefs and Youth leaders to make the lists available to their people to prevent clashes when Customs insist on doing their work as directed by the Federal Government.

Responding to complaints that some Customs Officers are overzealous and lack emotional control, resulting to improper use of weapons, the ACG reiterated that the CGC does not tolerate improper use of arms. He revealed that an Officer of the Service was recently dismissed for handling ammunition in a manner not approved by the Board.

The ACG while commending the Seme Area Controller for his efforts at community relations and training of Customs Officers on the proper handling and use of arms, also asked for the continuous training and retraining of Customs officers within the Seme Border.

Asked what Government position is concerning Rice importation or otherwise, the ACG replied. “Rice is not banned but it can only be imported through the Sea Ports. This is to ensure quality and the safety and security of Nigerians”.

Emphasizing the need for Customs and the people to work together in peace and harmony, the ACG harped on the dire need to ensure that not a kobo of government revenue is lost under any guise. He also insisted that not a kobo more should be collected as duty from any importer either.

According to him, “Government needs all the money it can gather at a crucial time like this. We all know that oil is no more. The money government is spending now comes from Customs and other Agencies. This is what is shared to the three tiers of Government for National Development.  We must all collaborate, do our best, avoid wastages/leakages by doing the right thing at any level we find ourselves”.

The Baale of Gbajiyeke, Chief Idowu Kowakonnu  and other Baales, Chiefs and Youths leaders were unanimous in their call for recruitment of their youths by Customs. This, the leaders said will go a long way in addressing the challenges they face in leading the people of their communities.

The ACG promised to forward their requests to the CGC for consideration and called on the Seme CAC to make interactive sessions with stakeholders a regular event to ensure smooth working relation and co-existence.