Posted by The proposed Zonal Office and Training School of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, according to Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, will help the state become more of the country’s industrial powerhouse.
In addition, he stated that the project would benefit the Olokola Seaport and the anticipated Kajola Inland Dry Port, both of which he predicted will open shortly and that the federal government was preparing to revive a nearby liquefied natural gas project.
This was revealed by Governor Abiodun during a visit to the proposed Zonal Office/Training School location for the Nigeria Customs Service in Ilisan, Ikenne Local Government Area, with Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He said that the state’s proposed dry port and deep sea port will increase investment opportunities and improve the quality of life for residents.
The governor said that the school’s proximity to the Agro-Cargo Airport would allow Customs to fulfill its obligation of guaranteeing due process for the import and export of products into and out of the nation.
He thanked the Comptroller General for seeing to it that the project continued, stressing that customs was necessary and suitable given the arrival of the Olokola Deep Sea Port and the Liquefied Natural Gas Projects in the state.
The governor claimed that the cargo airport was well situated to give access to the Sagamu-Ore-Benin and Lagos-Ibadan expressways. It was also constructed with an industrial park and a special agro-processing zone to process goods for both local and foreign markets.
“The location of our airport was well-planned. Because the state is the leading producer of poultry, cassava, and premium cotton, it is designed to comprise the Special Agro-Processing Zone.
“Having you here is essential to helping our state achieve a high ranking in the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria index.” Any prospective investor will inquire as to whether customs are present. As Comptroller General, you are matching our enormous progress. The Customs will be the greatest in the world under your direction, the governor declared.
The governor gave an explanation of the numerous commendable initiatives the Comptroller General has put in place to improve service operations.
Speaking, the Comptroller General stated that a comparable project was in progress in Kaduna State and that the facility was required in order to move the Zonal Office to Ogun State and expand its Federal Operations Unit in Lagos.
Assuring that the project might be finished earlier than expected, Adeniyi also revealed the creation of a Customs University in Lagos, claiming that funding and approvals had been obtained for its launch.
The Comptroller General insisted that the training school in Ilisan-Remo is a N73 billion project that would provide direct and indirect employment for hundreds of locals. To make it a reality, the project needs the cooperation of the state’s residents and government.
“Ogun State has been essential to this initiative from the beginning to the end. The goal of the project is to assist the governor in his efforts to provide his people with the benefits of democracy. We are pleased to support the state government’s goal of making the state an even more powerful economic force.
“After this project is finished, no customs in the entire African corridor will come close to us,” Adeniyi stated. “The rest of Africa looks up to us to provide leadership.”