Hameed Ali, Amosun during the visit

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state has appealed to men of the Nigerian Customs Service,NCS to do everything within their power to curb smuggling and ensure that international borders in the state are effectively manned.

Amosun made the call when the management team of the Nigerian Customs Service led by its Comptroller General, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd.) paid him a courtesy visit at his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office.

Amosun with Hameed Ali and a Customs chief

Amosun said this was necessary in order to raise adequate revenue for the country.

“Ogun State is strategic for the success of the Customs Service because it is the state with the highest number of land borders in Nigeria.

“Apart from that, Ogun State is also currently home to the highest number of industries in Nigeria. It is so important for the Customs to be alive to their responsibilities. If the economy must be active, then the Customs must be active,” Amosun posited.

The governor also hinted about how the construction of the Ilara-Ijoun road, a 110km highway being built by the state government will go a long way in helping the Customs Service  do its job.

He reminded the security agents that the road runs through the four local governments in the Ogun West Senatorial district and the area borders the neighbouring West African country of Republic of Benin.

“With that road, you now know that all you have to do is to put your men there as anyone coming into Nigeria from that region will have to pass through the road,” the governor advised.

Speaking earlier, the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service,NCS, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd.) informed the governor about the strategic importance the Nigerian Customs Service attaches to the state.

“Ogun state has the highest number of industries in Nigeria and we are working very hard to ensure that we increase our Excise Duties collection, because right now, we are only collecting Excise Duties from alcohol and tobacco industries.

“In the face of dwindling oil revenue, Nigeria needs to increase its earnings from Excise Duties, as this would also signify the growth of the local industry”, Ali said.