Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has lamented the numerous challenges affecting its efficiency at the Seme border, including a seven-year power outage, poor road infrastructure, non-functional scanning equipment, and the porous nature of the border.

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Dr Ben Oramalugo stated this yesterday when he received the Zonal Coordinator of the NCS Zone A Lagos, Assistant Comptroller General, Charles Orbih, at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake.

He emphasised the ongoing advocacy for infrastructure upgrades, security, deployment of modern surveillance tools, and deeper collaboration with sister agencies and local communities to address the concerns.

Oramalugo presented a detailed overview of the Command’s mandates and achievements in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, trade facilitation and border security.

Oramalugo disclosed that between January and May 2025, the Command generated over N3.57 billion in revenue and facilitated export consignments of 220,300 metric tonnes, valued at N47 billion Free on Board (FOB).

He also highlighted anti-smuggling efforts that resulted in seizures worth N889 million, including the interception of expired pharmaceuticals, marijuana and corrosive mercury, which were handed over to the relevant security agencies for further investigation.

In his remarks, Orbih lauded the leadership of the Seme Area Command for initiatives such as the renovation of the COWA building, the upgrading of the sports complex, and the recent commissioning of the officers’ mess.

Orbih highlighted the zone’s contributions to national revenue, accounting for 79.8 per cent of the NCS’s N1.3 trillion revenue collection in the first quarter of 2025.

He also reaffirmed the Service’s modernisation journey through initiatives such as the Advance Ruling System, Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme, and B’Odogwu platform, the indigenous Customs Clearance system.