The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday urged the stakeholders in the Badagry division of Lagos State to support the command in achieving its 2024 revenue target.

The Controller of the command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, made the appeal during the End-of-the-year party organised by the command in Badagry.

He thanked stakeholders, especially communities around the Seme border, for their consistent support over the years and called for more support for the command in 2024.

“This is also to tell them that we have been given greater responsibilities this year and we expect more commitment from them in 2024. We had tremendous support from community leaders in Badagry and it was why we did not have issues with them last year.

“We have always let them know that our responsibilities as law enforcement are not in any way inimical to their success and progress. They are supposed to work hand in hand with us so that we too can achieve our goals and in the process, they too can develop their communities,” he said.

Mr Bomodi said the party was organised to thank stakeholders for their support in 2023 and celebrate the successes the command recorded last year.

Mr Bomodi added that the programme was also organised to ensure officers have a work-life balance as encouraged by the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

“So, the officers, men and stakeholders of Seme-Krake Joint Border Post have put in their best to ensure that we meet the expectations of the government. We have not only met the target but tripled the expectations. We have taken time out to celebrate our successes and also recognise those who contributed to our achievements. This is not just for customs officers but all stakeholders collaborated with us throughout 2023, which had manifested in our seizures,” he said.

The Chairman of the Badagry-West Local Council Development Area, Joseph Gbenu, commended Mr Bomodi for organising the party to appreciate stakeholders in the Seme-krake border.

Mr Gbenu said that the programme would engender cooperation among stakeholders and sister agencies in the border post.

Speaking, the Patron of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, Seme Chapter, Sulaiman Momoh, urged the Federal Government to implement the unbanning of 43 items by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Mr Momoh also urged the government to lift the ban on the importation of used vehicles to create jobs for youths in the country.

He said ANCLA and other stakeholders had been cooperating with customs in Seme to meet their yearly targets.

Officer-in-Charge of Operations, Seme Border, E. Ashinze, one of those given awards at the programme, expressed delight that Seme customs was succeeding and surpassing the expectations of the customs management without clashing with stakeholders.

“We feel highly elated and gratified to be customs officers serving at the Seme border. Some of us expected promotions but didn’t get it, but an outing like this reminds us that we are doing good work and we must keep at it. We must keep working for the federal government.

“The area controller has shown that he loves and appreciates the work we are doing. So, we thank him and promise to work even harder in 2024,” he said.

Representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Immigration Service, Port Health, NDLEA, community leaders and residents of Seme attended the occasion.

(NAN)