Customs Boss Seeks Cooperation With Benin Customs

The New Customs Area Controller(CAC) of Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Willy Egbudin has identified inter agency and inter customs rapport between Nigeria Customs Service and the Benin Republic Customs and Police as a strategy that will not only facilitate legitimate trade but also enhance regional security.

Egbudin who also harped on the uniting role of customs as enunciated in the last Comptroller General of Customs Conference held in Katsina in 2012 with the theme ‘Border Divides, Customs Connects’ expressed this during a recent visit to the Receveur (Head of) Benin Customs at Krake Border, Colonel Lucie Afoudah and the Commissaire de Police Seme Krake Plage, Alhaji Waidi Akodjenou at the Benin Republic end of the border.

Speaking through an interpreter, the CAC reminded his counterpart that customs all over the world are evolving new ways and better techniques aimed at making international trade flow with ease and ensure national and regional security through enhanced anti smuggling procedure.

He also harped on the uniting functions of customs administrations of both countries and the impacts of such unity on the social and economic lives of the people. On this note, he sought the cooperation of Benin Customs while stressing the need for proper transit of imported vehicles destined to Nigeria as a means of suppressing smuggling and boosting revenue collection.

He added that the visit was intended to consolidate on the existing inter customs cooperation between the Customs administration of Nigeria and the Beninios counterpart with a reminder that vigilance from both ends promotes national security of the two neighbouring countries of Nigeria and Benin.

“Our modernization drive in Nigeria Customs Service is in full gear as our Comptroller General, Abdullahi Dikko Inde CFR has shown unprecedented commitment in manpower training, motivation, provision of logistics and high improvement in e-customs aimed at reducing human contacts and saving time in the clearance process”