The CAC and JIFORM members in a group photograph at the Seme Command

Customs Area Controller, CAC, Seme Area Command, Controller Mohammed Garba Ubah has revealed that smuggling, illegal migration, human trafficking, prostitution and other such vices are direct response to global economic crisis fuelled especially by economic imbalance and corrupt institutions in many African states.

He therefore called on all governments in the African sub region to develop the border communities by making infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals and even recreationa facilities available to curb these menances.

The Controller stated this when members of  the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM), an international media advocacy group on migration  paid a courtesy call to the Nigeria Customs Service at Seme Command in Lagos.

While noting that a lot of still need to be done to address the growing concerns on migration, Uba charged the media to assist to draw attention to the needs of border towns.

In his words “No industries in the border communities, no schools, no hospitals and other facilities. This is prompting rural urban migration which enhances the residents to engage in prostitution, trafficking, smuggling and other crimes.”

He however counseled that instead of Nigerians to take to illegal migration they could take advantage of government free taxation on export products to earn both local and foreign currencies to elevate their living conditions.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has provided opportunies for her citizens who want to go into business to succeed. There is tax holiday for new industries, there is huge discount on Agricultural Machinery/spare Parts so there is every chance for young entrepreneurs to grow in their businesses and prosper because by establishing such factories they create jobs/wealth for the people”

“The Nigeria Customs Service has Help Desks in all its Commands where enquiries could be made and proper information gottern to guide importers and all those who intend to venture into any kind of importation to avoid misinformation. The major concern of government is for citizens to prosper. When there is prosperity there is peace and when there is peace in the land there will be security which make governance is easier”

The Controller regretted that capital flight had compounded the rate of poverty on the continent and urged institutions to work hard to halt the process and reverse the trend.

He explained that despite Nigerian government’s ban on 43 items, there was free taxation on all locally produced products for export especially agricultural produce like cassava and yam with additional 30% financial incentives paid by government to encourage local production.

He explained that despite Nigerian government’s ban on 43 items, there was free taxation on all locally produced products for exportation especially agricultural produce like cassava and yam with additional 30% financial incentives paid by government to encourage local production.

The Journalists International Forum For Migration  led by its President, Mr Ajibola Abayomi and Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Kelvin Kagbare said the visit became imperative in order to collaborate with agencies and stakeholders to further deepen the knowledge of the public and add value to government policy on migration matters.

He regretted that over the years, many Nigerians had been lured to human and product trafficking across several borders leading to increase in the rate of smuggling, prostitution and other crimes.

Pained by the development, Ajibola said with the current challenges poised especially by irregular migration to economies of nations, time had come to double efforts aimed at correcting the erroneous impression that there were free money and luxuries in the developed world.

He noted that several Nigerians and other Africans were being held hostage either in jail, refugee camps, and slavery stations at different countries due to unplanned journeys.

“It is very painful that many of our youths are being made to go through horrible experiences in the desert, across the Mediterranean Sea and other dangerous routes with the intention of crossing to Europe, painfully in the process, many lives are lost on daily basis.

“We are working with series of organizations like the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Serve, Nigeria Police Force, anti-human and kidnapping agencies, National Emergency agency, Nigerian Disposal Commission, International Organisation for Migration and several others to reverse the tide through responsible journalism” Ajibola said.