Tinubui commissions over N73b Customs office, training college in Ogun

By Temitope Adebiyi

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

The President, who arrived the venue around 3.pm , shortly after inaugurating the state’s cargo airport. He commended the leadership stly of the Comptroller-General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi, for conceptualising a befitting facility for the unit.

The President who was accompanied by several dignitaries like the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, his daughter Iyabo, the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, the Senate President and Godswill Akpabio among others also used the occasion to inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service as part of efforts to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport in Iperu, Ogun state.

The new complex comprises office buildings, residential quaters, armory, and a training college, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and capacity building within the service.

His words: ” I am here to commission the Customs office, Federal Operation Unit, Iperu, Ogun State, by His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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

Addressing reporters after the commissioning, the Comptroller-General of the Service, Adeniyi disclosed that the initial cost of the project was N73 billion but the CGC disclosed that the Service will ask for variation because a
number of things have happened.

“What led to this project 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 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. Provision of a modern armory.

” You can see 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.

The project, Adeniyi said, ” 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 our interest, it would give us delight if Mr. President would give us the enablement to finish this during his first tenure,”Adeniyi said.

Senior officers at the venue expressed their delight over the development, describing it as a major morale booster for officers and men of the service.

The facility, it was gathered, marks the first time the unit would operate from a purpose-built office it can call its own.