Tinubu commissions N73bn new Customs office in Ogun

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday commissioned the newly completed N73 billion office of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The President arrived at the venue at about 3:08 p.m., shortly after inaugurating the state’s cargo airport, and commended the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for conceptualising a befitting facility for the unit.

The new complex comprises office buildings and a training college aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and capacity development within the service.

“I hereby declare this building open, to the glory of God,” Tinubu said during the commissioning.

Addressing newsmen after the commissioning, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, explained that the Service is seeking Presidential approval to vary what was originally approved for the project.

In the words of Adewale Adeniyi, “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 trading 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, the Federal Operations Unit office in Ikeja was a very big place. 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, Mr President, you have just commissioned the Federal Operations Unit’s new office in Ogun State. 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. Provision of a modern armoury.

“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.

“It is in fulfilment of our mandates. Our operations are increasing, and we needed more space that is comfortable and that’s convenient for all of us. ‘Average’ means we divide the total by the volume.”

On the cost of the new project, the Customs CG stated:

“This was conceived to be in the region of N73 billion. But, of course, between inception and now, a number of things have happened.

“We are now in the process of seeking the President’s understanding that we might need to vary what was originally approved. We are only 45 per cent 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 our interest, it would give us delight if Mr President would give us the enablement to finish this during his tenure.”