The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Seme

  • Reconstruct Lagos-Badagry-Seme Expressway, lawmaker to Buhari

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Setonji David, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to reconstruction the Lagos-Badagry-Seme Expressway.

    David, representing Badagry Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the plea following the President’s visit to the area on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Buhari flew to Seme for the official handover of the new Economic Community of West African States Border Posts in Badagry to his counterpart in the Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon.

    The president was accompanied by the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and other officials to inaugurate the upgraded border posts.

    David told Our Reporter that residents of the area were going through hardship because of the collapse of the international road.

    “I think the visit of President Buhari to Badagry should renew his commitment to completely reconstruct this very important road.

    “It is an embarrassment and our people are suffering.

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    “Apart from the plights of transport workers and commuters in the area; the nation is making huge money from the borders, hence the more reason for reconstruction of the road. This road is a gateway to our country.

    “I am optimistic that President Buhari will include the repair of the road in the 2019 Budget so that people in this area can enjoy a new lease of life,” the lawmaker said.

    David, also the Chairman, House Committee on Urban Development and Physical Planning, urged the government to consider the tourism potential in Badagry for national growth and development.

    “Badagry is the next tourism destination for Nigeria. It is a tourism destination throughout and outside Nigeria.

    “We are trying to prevail on the government to repair our roads. Badagry should be the next stage of development in Lagos State,’’ he said.

    David advised residents of the area to be hopeful that the Buhari-led administration would reconstruct the road.

    The lawmaker commended Ambode for his efforts to alleviate the sufferings of users of the road.

  • Buhari’s statement at handing-over of Seme-Krake Joint Border

    STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE HANDING-OVER CEREMONY OF THE SÈMÈ-KRAKÉ JOINT BORDER POST BETWEEN NIGERIA & BENIN BORDER ON October 23, 2018

    1. It is my pleasure and honour to address you today on this occasion of the official Handing-Over Ceremony of the SÈMÈ-KRAKÉ Joint Border Post between The Federal Republic of Nigeria and The Republic of Benin.

    2. Let me first begin by congratulating the people of Nigeria and Benin as well as the whole West African Community on this significant landmark handing over of the newly improved SÈMÈ-KRAKÉ Border Post.

    3. Indeed, the SÈMÈ-KRAKÉ Joint Border is one of the busiest boundary lines not only in West Africa but the whole continent, daily recording huge movement of persons, goods and services. Permit me therefore to congratulate my brother, President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin on the successful completion of this magnificent project. As we all know, Nigeria and Benin share many things in common. Hence, the establishment of the Joint Border Post will certainly promote our brotherliness and emphasize our common interest.

    4. I would like to express the appreciation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the ECOWAS Commission for its contribution to this important project, which has made the completion possible.

    5. In the same vein, our profound gratitude goes to the European Union Commission for their financial commitment to the success of this laudable project.

    6. I am aware that the European Union supported two other Joint Border at Malanville (between Benin/Niger) and Noepe-Akanu (between Ghana/Togo). As the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I once again express our appreciation to the European Union for believing in our region.

    Distinguished Guests;

    Ladies and Gentlemen;

    7. As you are aware, our region is suffering from inadequate transport infrastructure and inefficient services, which is one of the major bottlenecks to the attainment of socio-economic development and integration. ECOWAS is a region where Ports, Roads, Railways and Airports still remain a constraint despite significant recent progress made.

    8. Nigeria has embarked on major investment programmes covering these sectors to improve the competitiveness of our economies and accelerate growth. We are therefore delighted to welcome such initiatives aimed at boosting the economic integration of our member States in West Africa.

    9. In order to take up the challenges described, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government had adopted in 2003, the road transport and transit facilitation programme, including the construction of Joint Border Posts across the sub-region.

    10. These investments were launched to facilitate cross-border transportation and movement of persons and goods by removing non-tariff barriers.

    11. The objective is to increase the competitiveness and efficiency of the main transport corridors in West Africa so as to boost international trade which is a key factor of growth and contributor to poverty alleviation.

    Ladies and Gentlemen;

    12. The purpose of Joint Border Post implementation by the Community is to achieve greater trade facilitation by combining border clearance activities in a single location, to benefit from economies of scale, to simplify clearance procedures, to increase cooperation and coordination of controls, to foster data and intelligence sharing and to improve control against fraud and corruption.

    13. I am delighted that the improvement in the SÈMÈ-KRAKÉ infrastructure that commenced in 2011 has been completed in an area which is approximately 17 hectares.

    14. The Border Post is strategically important and lies on the Lagos-Cotonou-Lome-Accra-Abidjan corridor, which accounts for about 70% of the entire transit traffic in the sub-region. The corridor is also part of the Trans-African Highway network. This Joint Border Post with modern enabling facilities is a flagship project in ECOWAS and a good example of regional public assets with a spill-over range of benefits.

    15. This Seme-Krake joint Border Post is a symbol of integration that brings together the peoples of Nigeria and Benin. I would, therefore, like to reassure you that Nigeria is committed to the operationalization of the Joint Border Post and will work closely with the Republic of Benin to ensure the success of this set of Border formalities.

    16. I believe that this edifice would further enhance border officials working condition and would make them more efficient and effective in carrying out their duties. Though the operation on this facility shall be carried out jointly, I will like to urge them to ensure that their operations are carried out within the guiding principles of ECOWAS.

    17. I am aware that a Joint Committee with membership from Nigeria and Benin has been established for the coordination and management of this facility. I would like to call on the members of the committee to note the complex task ahead of them. The committee must ensure that border officials are sensitized on the mode of operation of the Joint Border Post concept which is a big departure from the traditional mode of operation. I call on the ECOWAS Commission to continue to provide the needed support to this Committee.

    Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    18. Let me conclude by congratulating officials from the two countries for their commitment and active participation throughout the feasibility, design, construction and to now this operational stage of the facility. Your valuable contributions during these stages resulted in this beautiful infrastructure we have today. I hope to see the use of this border facility to enhance the free movement of persons and goods in our region.

    I thank you for listening.

  • Buhari: Nigeria, Benin to work closely on joint border facility  

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Seme pledged that Nigeria will work closely with the Republic of Benin to ensure the success of the newly inaugurated Seme-Krake joint border post between both countries.

    Speaking at the official handing over ceremony of the joint border post, President Buhari described the project, aimed at enhancing the free movement of persons and goods in the region, as “a symbol of integration that brings together the peoples of Nigeria and Benin.”

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    ”Indeed, the Seme-Krake joint border is one of the busiest boundary lines not only in West Africa but the whole continent, daily recording huge movement of persons, goods and services.

    ”Permit me therefore to congratulate my brother, President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin on the successful completion of this magnificent project.

    ”As we all know, Nigeria and Benin share many things in common. Hence, the establishment of the Joint Border Post will certainly promote our brotherliness and emphasize our common interest, ” he said.

    On the benefits of the joint border post, which sits on 17 hectares of land, the President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that it would enhance trade facilitation by combining border clearance activities in a single location, increase cooperation and coordination of controls, in addition to fostering data and intelligence sharing between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

    ”The Border Post is strategically important and lies on the Lagos-Cotonou-Lome-Accra-Abidjan corridor, which accounts for about 70% of the entire transit traffic in the sub-region.

    ”The corridor is also part of the Trans-African Highway network.  This Joint Border Post with modern enabling facilities is a flagship project in ECOWAS and a good example of regional public assets with a spill-over range of benefits,’’ he said.

    He also expressed optimism that the facilities at the border post will improve the working conditions of border officials and make them more efficient and effective in carrying out their duties.

    He, therefore, urged border officials of both countries to ensure that their operations are carried out within the guiding principles of ECOWAS.

    ”I am aware that a Joint Committee with membership from Nigeria and Benin has been established for the coordination and management of this facility.  I would like to call on the members of the committee to note the complex task ahead of them.

    ”The committee must ensure that border officials are sensitized on the mode of operation of the Joint Border Post concept which is a big departure from the traditional mode of operation. I call on the ECOWAS Commission to continue to provide the needed support to this Committee, ”he said.

    Appreciating the financial commitment of the European Union Commission to the project and the contributions of the ECOWAS Commission towards its successful completion, President Buhari noted that inadequate transport infrastructure and inefficient services were some of the major bottlenecks to the attainment of socio-economic development and integration in the region.

    ”ECOWAS is a region where ports, roads, railways and airports still remain a constraint despite significant recent progress made.

    ”Nigeria has embarked on major investment programmes covering these sectors to improve the competitiveness of our economies and accelerate growth.  We are therefore delighted to welcome such initiatives aimed at boosting the economic integration of our member States in West Africa,’’ he said.

    In his capacity as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Buhari also thanked the EU for supporting two other joint borders at Malanville (between Benin/Niger) and Noepe-Akanu (between Ghana/Togo).

     

  • ‘Seme customs command nets N701m in August’

    ‘Seme customs command nets N701m in August’

    The Nigeria Custom Service, Seme Command, said it collected N701million as revenue for the month of August.

    A statement released in Badagry on Monday by the customs command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Selchang Taupyen,  said that the command succeeded in collecting so much by blocking  all revenue leakages at the border.

    “In the month of August, the command generated the sum of N701,018, 536 million as revenue for the Federal Government.

    “The amount was N201, 364,081 million higher than the N499,654, 455 that was generated in July.

    “The command has deployed all strategies and has brought every professional dexterity to the fore in order to boost revenue generation at the border, despite the daunting challenges.

    “From January to date, the revenue figure has been dependent on the volume of importation through this corridor which has been limited by low economic activities in the area.

    “We are determined to generate more revenue as the year draws to a close and we are committed to achieving that,” Taupyen quoted the Comptroller of the command, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, as saying.

    He further said that 48 seizures by custom were made with a duty paid value of N32.8 million.

    He added that the customs seized 100 bags of 50kg fertiliser and 1,840 cartons containing mosquito coil, insecticide, soap, cream, second hand clothing and bags, among others.

    “The command’s anti-smuggling efforts have yielded the desired result in seizures of import prohibitions.

    “The seizures were made through intelligence-sharing among operational officers and most importantly, no casualties were recorded,” the PRO said.

    He advised members of the  public to desist from smuggling and engage in legitimate business.

  • Seme Customs intercepts N54.46m contraband

    Seme Customs intercepts N54.46m contraband

    The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contraband valued at N54.46 million.

    The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Aliyu, made this known on Thursday in a statement issued by Mr Taupyen Selchang, the command’s Public Relations Officer in Lagos.

    Aliyu said that the seized items include: 3,200 bags of rice and 1,000 cartons of frozen poultry products.

    He said that 720 jerry cans of vegetable oil and 57 bales of second-hand clothes were also intercepted by his officers.

    According to him, in recent times, the command engaged in aggressive anti-smuggling operation, thereby tightening the land borders against smuggling activities.

    He said that the command was deploying all necessary tools to ensure that the core mandate of the service (revenue generation, facilitation of legitimate trade and suppression of smuggling) were achieved.

    “This is because actualising the functions of revenue generation and legitimate trade facilitation depend solely on how smuggling activities are aggressively suppressed to the barest minimum.

    “It is against this backdrop that the anti-smuggling unit of the command intensified its operations in order to curb the menace of trans-border crimes (smuggling) and other vices.

    “The ongoing aggressive patrol by the anti-smuggling operation unit of illegal routes and the border posts is yielding tremendous results and has translated into the seizure of numerous items,’’ Aliyu said.

    The comptroller urged importers to comply with the government’s fiscal policies.

    Aliyu said that in order to key into the Presidential mandates (Reform, Restructure and Revenue Generation), smuggling activities has to be confronted headlong in order to prevent revenue leakages.

    “This reality has necessitated the proactive approach of the enforcement unit to ensure smuggling activities are maximally suppressed in order to enhance and boost revenue generation,’’ he said.

    Aliyu said that drastic reduction of economic activities through the corridor had impacted negatively on the revenue profile of the command.

    “The command remains undaunted in ensuring that smuggling is suppressed to the barest minimum,’’ he said.

    Aliyu said that the command would continue to protect the local industries to provide employment opportunities to unemployed youths.

    He advised that the Customs Community Consultative Forum (CCCF) platform to sensitise and advise youths in the host communities to stay away from border vices.

    “The warning became necessary in view of the fact that those caught committing smuggling offences are currently undergoing prosecution in various law courts,’’ the controller said.

  • Don’t allow rice, vehicles through Seme, Customs men told

    Don’t allow rice, vehicles through Seme, Customs men told

    The Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller-General Monday Abueh, has urged officers at the Seme and Idiroko/Ogun Area Commands to block the coming of rice and vehicles into the country.
    During his familiarisation tour of Seme and Idiroko/Ogun Area Commands yesterday, he said the Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) and the Customs Management had redeployed officers in Seme and Idiroko Area Commands to ensure that nothing passed through all routes there.
    His visit, he said, was to continue reminding officers of the Federal Government’s polices as well as the directive given by the comptroller-general to ensure security and protection of lives in the country.
    “Officers should be mindful of their duties and responsibilities as you embark on your primary assignment. If you are careless in your duties and if you are caught, you will be held responsible for your action. A total of 661 pump-action rifles were intercepted and you will ask why the container came out of the port. Investigation is ongoing and at the end of it, somebody will go for it,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Abueh as saying.
    He advised them not to assign their duties to someone else, adding that officers must engage in thorough search before given clearance to any consignment.
    Abueh said officers could still collect revenue through general goods coming through the borders.
    The assistant comptroller-general urged officers to ensure collection of duties on those general goods.
    At Ogun Area Command, Abueh commended the synergy between Customs officers and other sister agencies, adding that collaboration was the key to combat security and other aspects of insecurity in the country.
    The zonal coordinator said officers and sister agencies were working together to keep the country safe from unwholesome practices.
    He advised officers to be strict in joint examination of goods, adding that any mistake on the part of officers would lead to serious punishment by the management.
    Abueh said there was no reversal of the Federal Government’s policy banning vehicles and rice through the borders area.
    He said there was need to work with the interest of the country at heart, adding that all security agencies should not allow any smuggled item into the country.
    Abueh praised officers and men of Ogun Area Command for being on top of their duties and pleaded that they should not relent in their efforts in combating smuggling to the barest minimum.
    The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme, Comptroller Victor Dimka, instructed officers to make use of the advice given by the zonal coordinator to assist them to excel in their career.
    The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Ogun Area Command, Comptroller Hassan Gangua, said that there was synergy between Customs officers and sister agencies which led to seizure of five vehicles of 2015 model and 1,000 motorcycles used to smuggle rice.
    Gangua said that the vehicles were intercepted along Alari border, Idiroko, adding that the seizures were made on Sunday, Jan. 29, following the Federal Government’s ban on importation of vehicles and rice through the land borders.

  • Security agents kill 11 suspected trans-border robbers at Seme

    Eleven persons including a wanted man, Tokiche, a.k.a. “TK’’, were killed at Seme border during gun battle with security agents.

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, who made this known on Friday in Ikeja, said the suspects were overpowered by the security agents, including policemen from Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

    Owoseni said the 17-man robbery gang was led by TK to attack banks and Bureaux-de-Change at Seme border but the attempt was foiled by security operatives.

    According to him, TK had been on the police wanted list for various violent crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, cultism and pipeline vandalism, among others.

    The commissioner said TK had over 200 men which he used to carry out crimes, stressing that he also had properties in different places, including Isawo, Ikorodu in Lagos State.

    “TK has his signature in various violent crimes in Ogun, Ondo, Edo and the Republic of Benin.

    “They also intercepted a vessel in Niger/Delta Area. He shifts his base from one place to another depending on the operation he wants to carry out.

    “On March 16, we got a report that TK and his gang were planning to attack banks and bureau-de-change at Seme border area.

    “They were said to have come in three boats at about 3 a.m. and immediately started shooting sporadically in commando style,’’ Owoseni said.

    “The Police, Customs, Immigration, the Joint Military Task Force and policemen from Republic of Benin who had earlier prepared for them foiled their operation.

    “The gang surrendered to the superior gun power of the security agencies and fled.

    “The security agents and members of the public pursued them and at the end of the day, 11 of them were killed, while six others escaped. We are on the trail of those at large.’’

    He said three boats, with one of them having the inscription: “Castina Marine’’, 22 pieces of dynamite, six AK-47 rifles, two general purpose machine guns and 33,678 life ammunition were recovered.

    Other recovered items, he added, were 22 empty magazines, eight life jackets, 350 litres jerry can of fuel, two 100 litres jerry cans of fuel, one military magazine, jackets and assorted pieces of charms.

    Owoseni said the bodies had been deposited at the mortuary.

    He said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr Solomon Arase, praised all the security agencies involved in the operation, including those of Republic of Benin, for their cooperation.

    He added that the IGP called for more of such partnership in future.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, reports that three bodies, including TK’s were paraded before reporters before being taken to the mortuary.

     

  • Seme Customs gets new Area Comptroller

    Seme Customs gets new Area Comptroller

    Comptroller Victor Dimka has been redeployed as the new Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    NAN reports that Dimka, who has assumed duty at Seme, was prior to now, the Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, (F.O.U.) Owerri, Imo.

    He told the officers and men of the command that his intention was to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor.

    The comptroller said that he would intensify his efforts toward more revenue generation.

    Dimka told a group of licensed customs agents who paid him a visit that he still needed time to study what was in the handover note but assured his guests that “Seme border command is a familiar terrain to him’’.

    He urged officers and stakeholders to realise that the challenge of dwindling revenue from crude oil sales had made it imperative for maximum revenue to be collected by the Customs.

    According to him, we have to shape up to collect maximum revenue and suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.

    “My predecessor has done a great job and I intend to even do more.

    “I am committed to suppressing smuggling activities across the international frontier and to ensure that the fight against smuggling of poultry products would be sustained.

    “All hands must be on deck in dealing with the challenges of manning a peculiar international border like Seme which is characterised by heavy vehicular movement and human traffic.

    “All officers must follow the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs while discharging their statutory responsibilities.

    “We must also perform well in terms of revenue generation, anti-smuggling drive, legitimate trade facilitation and the security of the nation through the effective manning of the border,’’ Dimka said.

    The comptroller urged all officers to imbibe the culture of transparency and professionalism while discharging their responsibilities.

    He warned that any act of negative conduct among officers would not be tolerated.

  • NDLEA vows to end trafficking through Seme

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command has vowed to intensify its war against traffickers through the Seme Border.

    Speaking at the Command’s headquarters at Ibereko, Badagry, the Commander, Udotong Essien, said 907.45 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa was seized at the border last year, while 22 persons were convicted at Federal High Court Lagos.

    Also recovered were N3,849,650; 2,307,000million CFA; $50,391.00, one Mercedes Benz V-boot saloon car, three Honda Motorcycles and one Yamaha Engine boat. Five drug dependent persons were counseled on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking, he said.

    “We made more arrests of persons with Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) otherwise referred to as Skunk in Ghana, where all seized Indian Hemp came from. This Ghana specie is said to be superior to the ones grown locally here.

    “We made 31 arrests which includes a Ghanian lady identified as Juliet Adjei, caught with 35.5 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa; Samuel Alabi who hails from Ogun State with two kilogrammes; Mohammed Ibrahim from Kebbi, with seven kilogrammes; Ismailla Aliyu and Edwin Igbokwe arrested with 781.5 kilogrammes, N480,000, four motorcycles, one Yamaha boat engine, among others,” he said.

    Essien advised parents whose wards are schooling in Benin Republic to monitor their activities. He said a student was arrested with large quantities of Indian Hemp.

    He debunked claims that his officers employ black magic to detect drug peddlers. “Before you become an NDLEA officer, you must be properly trained. This training centres on what we call risk assessments and profiling. When you see someone that has something to hide, mere eye contact tells you if he is a suspect.

    “We apply intelligence-led policing to nab them. We do a lot of profiling, like where one is coming from and heading to.  We exchange information on suspects with the traditional rulers, the police, the Customs, etc.,” he said.

    Essien said officers were trained locally and abroad last year, adding that they need more gadgets, operational vehicles, among others, for optimal performance.

  • Yuletide: Customs deploys 40 officers in Seme, Idiroko

    Yuletide: Customs deploys 40 officers in Seme, Idiroko

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, has deployed over 40 officers to Seme and Idiroko borders.

    The move, it was gathered, is in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali’s resolve to check the movement of unauthorised goods, especially those on the Import Prohibition List ((IPL) and persons, into the country through the borders this Yuletide.

    Investigation around the borders on Saturday revealed that the 0Customs  moved against illegal importation of rice, illicit drugs, vegetable oil, textile, used clothes, confectionery, juices, used bags and other prohibited items.

    It was gathered that the rate of smuggling of goods from Benin Republic into the country through the borders has reduced because officers of the Unit have increased foot patrol along the bush paths and raised its level of intelligence gathering for preventing, interdicting and uncompromising arrests of smugglers.

    When The Nation visited the borders last weekend, Customs officers from the FOU were on patrol.

    When The Nation left for the Seme border around 4.30am last Saturday, apart from the skeletal checkpoints mounted by the police on the road, Customs officers were seen at Mile 2, Iyana-Iba, Igbo Elerin, Okoko, besides Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Mowo and  other points on the route.

    At the Idiroko border, most of the vehicles were stopped by Customs officers, who searched and seized contrabands, including small quantities of rice and cartons of frozen chicken from traders and those who pretended to be travellers.

    Sources said small bags of rice, from 10kg to 25kg, are stored in commercial quantities by some travellers, who later move them into the markets.

    The move, investigation revealed, has made the Officer-in- Charge of Surveillance, Mr Jude Ohagwu, and his team unpopular among many trans-border traders and travellers.

    Customs Public Relations Officer Mr Uche Ejesieme said the Area Controller, Sani Madugu, has set in motion a system that makes the fight against smuggling more serious.

    He said the surveillance became possible because of the vehicles given to them.

    Ejesieme reiterated the unit’s commitment to ensuring smuggling and other anti-economic activities are stopped.

    Some officers led by Ohagwu, he  said, made some seizures.

    Ohagwu, Ejesieme also said, gathers information on criminals’ movements in and around the borders.

    He assured that the tempo of patrols, and arrests of offenders of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) would not only be sustained but surpassed.

    Ejesieme warned that officers and men from the unit would uphold the Comptroller-General’s zero tolerance for smuggling, assuring stakeholders in legitimate trans border trade of Customs’ support and cooperation.

    “We have officers and men who are happy to carry out their jobs and that is why they have been up and doing. We have re-strategised. Our officers and men have been mandated by our Area Controller, Sani Madugu to comb all the bush paths around the border areas  and  find all the new hide-out of smugglers who specialised in bringing into the country all prohibited items like second hand clothing, bags, shoes, frozen chicken, bags of rice, used tyres and other items through the land and the swampy area,” he said.