INTERVIEW: We Created Ogun Customs Village to Address Expanding Scope of Our Operations- CGC Adeniyi
INTERVIEW: We Created Ogun Customs Village to Address Expanding Scope of Our Operations- CGC Adeniyi
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service spoke to journalists at the newly inaugurated Zone A Federal Operation Unit Headquarters in Iperu, Ogun State.
The building, which was formally commissioned by President Bola Tinubu is among several others sitting on a 50 hectares land space beside the Gateway Cargo Airport.
Q:What informed the choice of this location. you have the FOU, you have the training school, you have the barracks here. So, what led to this?
Well, basically what led to this is the need for us to balance the discharge of our mandates, the basic mandates, revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement, with the need to enhance the welfare of our officers, produce a good working environment for them, and do something about our training facilities in Lagos. So, you know that all of the facilities that we are moving here are concentrated in just one small space in Ikeja.
When we joined the service over 30 years ago, this was a very big place. It was a very big place for us. It was enough to accommodate all of those activities.
But over the years, the operations of the service, the size of the service, the scope of our mandates have really, really expanded. And we needed a bigger space, a bigger space that is more conducive. And we are happy that we found, in His Excellency Governor Dapo Abiodun, the partnership that ensured that we got enough space to move all those bases to this place.
So, we are indeed very, very grateful to him. I must also pay glowing tributes to my predecessor, who actually started this project. It was his doggedness that ensured that we got the land, over 50 hectares, that we are using for this.
So, we’ve just commissioned the Federal Operations Units. They will be moving here as soon as possible. It’s already been furnished.
I don’t know if some of you entered. The accessories that would ensure proper functioning of the facilities are also being done including provision of a modern armory.
And then, of course, you know that this is the warehouse directly opposite this facility. This warehouse will also support the warehouse at the nearby aviation village. Of course, you also know that we have the training college that has also been here.
So, it is in fulfillment of our mandates. Our operations are increasing and we needed more space that is comfortable and that’s convenient for all of us.
Q: This is gigantic.What is the cost of this project?
This was conceived to be in the region of 73 billion Naira. But, of course, between inception and now, a number of things have happened.
We are now in the process of seeking Mr. President’s understanding that we might need to vary what was originally approved. We are only 45 percent in the execution of the project that we have done here. And so, we still have a fairly long way to go.
And it would be in our interest, it would give us delight if Mr. President would give us the enablement to finish this during his tenure.
Q:What happens to the buildings in Lagos if the officers are moving here immediately..
We will decide what to do with them soon.
Q:What is going to be the role of the customs in that airport facility?
We are already at the airport. Our officers are already there performing customs duties
We had our officers in the terminal building. And we also had our officers who performed tallying when Mr. President was asked to witness the offloading of the first cargo plane at the airport. So, we are already there.
The facilities have been provided for us. His Excellency the Governor has been engaging with us in the last six months. We’ve undertaken a lot of visits to the place, just to let him know that this is what the requirements will be.
And he has largely met those requirements. And we don’t have any doubts in our minds that by the time they start cargo and international flights, there is enough space for customs operations.
One Comment