Customs Operations Strategic To National Development – CG Adeniyi.

By Helen Udoh,Outlook Media ABUJA.

*Performs ground breaking ceremony for 25 hectares Nigeria Customs Service Zone B Headquarters.

The Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has stressed the importance of the Nigeria Customs Service to national development

He expressed this, at the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the construction of Nigeria Customs Service Zone B Headquarters in Mando, Kaduna on Thursday September 7, 2023.

“Customs operations is very strategic to national development. For us to deliver, we need infrastructure,” he said.

According to him, the CCECC was chosen to handle the project because of their track records, warning them not to betray the trust.

“The precious projects you have handled in Nigeria, gives us confidence that we are in good hands.

“We will give you all the support needed. We have support of our parent ministry, that of the National Assembly and our President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We are going to play our part, ensure you play yours. If you deliver this project in good time, there would be opportunity to do other projects and bigger projects in future.

“We would not tolerate variation in terms of cost or the duration of the project. The office of the CG doors will be open to you 24/7 to ensure you deliver of the project,” he said.

The CG appreciated the team that put together the ceremony, saying, “we commend you for putting together this ground breaking together within a short time.

According to him, the FOU Zone B site is the second project site he is visiting since assuming office.

“When I assumed responsibility as CG, things upper most on my mind is innovative solution to drive Customs processes. For us to do this, we need to have infrastructural support to provide our officers with comfort.

“I am happy to be here this morning to share this. What we are staring at today is a grand vision. Providing facilities for our officers and men, with places of worship, leisure and other facilities,” he said.

Earlier in his introductory remarks, Architect Mohammed Dewu said the project is the first of its kind, which would be a full fledged cantonment upon completion.

“This is not just like an ordinary barrack, but has everything like a cantonment with church, mosque, market, auditorium, multipurpose sports hall, parade ground, outdoor sporting activities, central sewage system for wastes, solar lights, internal roads and a shopping complex.

“The facility is well secured, to be patrolled 24 hours, with watch towers. It is a modern complex that will give comfort to the staff of the zone. There is sufficient water and light, it is a well designed cantonment with a water treatment plant. It will be a trail blazer for others,” he said.

According to him, it is to be built on 25 hectares or 250 square meters, conceived to contain 248 flats, divided into low, medium and high cost, as well as two-storey office complex and other facilities.

Chairman CCECC Nigeria Ltd, Mr Jason Zang in his remarks, expressed appreciation to the CG for attending the ground breaking ceremony.

“We firmly believe this will be another landmark project in Kaduna. CCECC is not a new name in Kaduna. We have done many projects, including Kaduna-Abuja Rail, Kaduna urban renewal projects and others. CCECC has contributed to Nigeria’s development for 42 years.

“As a major player in infrastructure we have demonstrated confidence and we thank the CG for the trust in our choice,” he said.

As part of the activities, the CG was also taken on a tour of the site of FOU Zone B Headquarters in Afaka.