Comptroller Bomodi Sets Agenda For Seme Command,Vows To Block Revenue leakages

Comptroller Bomodi Sets Agenda For Seme Command,Vows To Block Revenue leakages
…...as Dera Nnadi Surpasses 2023 revenue target by 6.23 per cent

L- R Compt.Timi Bomodi Receiving Hand over document from out going Compt.Dera Nnadi On Monday at Seme Command conference Room

By Frank Odinukaeze

Determined to leave an indelible mark on the sands of time at Seme border  Customs command ,the new Sheriff, Comptroller Timinadi Bomodi has said that he will leave no stone unturned in an effort to block all avenues of revenue leakages,while ensuring maximization of revenue collection  and trade facilitation
Bomodi who took over leadership of the command from another anti- smuggling czar, Comptroller Dera Nnadi,made this declaration on Monday while receiving the flag of authority from the out going comptroller Nnadi
Bomodi gave clear and precise  road map on how he will tackle the hydra- headed monster of revenue leakages and smuggling in the command.
Bomodi noted that smuggling is a global phenomenon.He said  however that his administration will fashion out sustainable ways and means of dealing with smuggling,while focus would also be more on revenue leakages .
His words,” We will attack revenue leakages from both administrative and  strategic level.We would engage individuals and communities around this area.Because we do know that the borders are not so clearly delineated ,that you can tell where a country starts and where another ends
So at this point of intercession ,you have people that live along this corridor,and it makes it a lot more difficult to meet  our mandate.
But we need to engage them and  let them understand the impact of smuggling on the society.We also need to engage our stakeholders .There is always a legitimate ways of carrying out our businesses.The government has provided tools to foster trade facilitation  and we are going to make use of those tools and facilities .So we hope follow it from these perspectives ,and hopefully,we will achieve Success”.
Answering questions on the issue of multiple check points along the Seme border,Bomodi said,”We do know that various agencies play various roles,not just along this corridor but all over the country.But we make something clear.This corridor actually is a trade coridor.itbid like one of the major arteries of the human body if anything happens to that major arteries the person simply dies.And that is why we have to pay particular attention to this corridor.Those other sister agencies on this corridor at strategic levels the issues would be taken care of.There is going to be a concerted efforts to ensure that those that are not supposed to be on this corridor are not allowed either temporarily or in the long term.It is vital.Because that was one of the issues that were addressed by both administrations  .

“We don’t think we are unique here.We travel from Cotonou to Cote  de voire ,we don’t see what we are experiencing here.Short distances and you see so many check points.It is not encouraging.It does not encourage free trade”.
On his main goals or agenda for Seme command,Bomodi said,” Again I will go back to the meeting  that was held at Abuja,because it was fundamentally a game changer.
You see when two  administrations or countries agree to align  each other,align their policies and standard operating procedures,align a lot of things,the sole objective is to facilitate trade,then we have  no option, but to que to that vision.We are going to que into that visio , because it’s not going to be like before.If what was proposed is to come to fruition,it means that the functions of Nigeria Customs Service is going to extend beyond this border.And is going to go right into the corridors of Benin Republic.Vis-a- vis the operations of Benin Republic will extend beyond this border and they will go right into our ports.
“So it’s going to be a symbiotic relationship.And we cannot expect something less than what we did.We expect to achieve excellence on both sides of the divide,and hopefully ,it will be transformative.The result will be huge.It will enhance trade.
“The capacity to generate more revenue is there  because people can move freely,goods can move freely,services can move freely in this corridor. We are talking about Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA).And what that entails is generating revenue in trillions of dollars.You know what that means,it is totally transformative for Africa.

“We need to trade more along this corridor.And you cannot trade more if our processes are not properly aligned,if our system are not properly aligned and if the thinking on both sides of the divide are not properly synchronized.
“We expect to see that.We  achieve these goals and even more”.
He promised a continuous interaction with the stakeholders while affirming that he is open to new ideas that would facilitate trade and curb trans border crimes,even as he intends to run an open door regime.
“We need a feed back from you stakeholders, because without a Fred back we wouldn’t know how well we are doing”. he said.Responding a stakeholder and Chairman Association of Government Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA),Chief Onyekachi Ojima (A.K..A), Alhaji  Sule,assured the Comptroller of their maximum support for him.
Comptroller Bomodi thanked the Acting Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,for his encouragement and support , stressing that his support and encouragement are the tonic that spur them on to achieve huge successes.
Bomodi also praised Comptroller Dera Nnadi for his huge and enviable achievements at Seme Border ,adding that he has no doubt that he will repeat the same  feat ,if not surpass it at his new posting at Tim Can Island Customs command

Earlier, Compt Dera Nnadi had  said the Seme Customs Command under his watch exceeded its revenue target for 2023 by N122million as it has collected N2,088,578,048.03k in less than 9 months, surpassing its N1,966,000,000 target.
While handing over the command to his successor, Compt Nnadi said “As at Friday the 15th of September, 2023 the Command has collected N2,088,578,048.03 only. By this, the implication is that we have surpass our N1,966,000,000 allotted target for the year 2023 by N122,578,048.03 only, which represent 6.23% increase. In the corresponding period under review for year 2022, the revenue was N885,543,098.11 only,”

On  anti-smuggling operations, he noted  that there were headline seizures such as; fake six million US dollars equivalent to N2.7billion; 9500 units of 50kg bags of rice equivalent to sixteen (16) trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value of N312,242,064.93k; 15,094 x 30 liters Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit equivalent to 455,850 liters or 15 petroleum tankers with a Duty Paid Value of N738,276,461k; 15,389 units of General Merchandise Goods

Hard Drugs and Narcotics seizures included; 594 parcels of Cannabis Sativa; 4,900 Tablets 225mg of Tramadol Tamol-X; 3,600 Tablets 225mg Tramadol Royal 225; 157 Tablets of Heineken Ecstacy; and 864 Packs of Cigarette.

The former Seme Area Controller thanked his leadership team, Command officers, host community and other stakeholders for the robust collaborations which led to the notable accomplishments at the border even as he solicited the same support for his successor,whom he frequently refered  to as” my brother”.