SENATE ASKS FG TO WISELY USE THE N14.2 BILLION ALLOCATED FOR THE CUSTOMS ACADEMY.

Tunji Wusu –

The Senate has asked the Federal Government to make wise use of the N14.2 billion allotted in the 2022 Budget to construct a suitable academy/training school for the Nigerian Customs Service, a revenue-generating organization.

The Senate also ordered the newly formed Committee on Customs, Excise, and Tariff to oversee the building and completion of the envisioned One-Stop Shop operating hub for the revenue-generating agency.

Umar Shehu Buba, a senator for Bauchi South, had sponsored a motion that led to the Senate resolutions. 16 additional lawmakers joined in co-sponsoring it.

The proposed Nigerian Customs Service Training School / Academy, according to Senator Buba, is intended to be a One-Stop Shop for the revenue-generating agency.

It consists of the Administrative Block, the Perimeter Fence, the Senior Staff Housing, the Generator House, the Staff Room, the Class Rooms, the Library, the Laboratories, the Workshop / Dining Hall, the Girls’ Hostel, the Boys’ Hostel, the Intermediate Staff Housing, the Sport Area, the Chief Security Office, etc., and is estimated to cost about N14, 200, 000, 000 billion.

“Building the aforementioned additional Customs Training / Academies to the existing ones will provide the needed professional training towards meeting the demands of institutions in the country, thus bringing out officers / personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service in tune with the current realities of professionalism in all their dealings and international best practices which would rid them of unprofessional and unethical conducts,” according to the project proposal.

It may be recalled that this esteemed Senate on July 19, 2023, considered a motion on the reckless usage of guns by officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service that resulted in the loss of innocent lives as a result of unethical behaviour in the performance of their responsibilities.

“Therefore, as contained in item 262 on the details of the Appropriation Act 2023, the earmarked N14.2billion for construction of Service Academy and Training School, should be utilized by the Federal Government in putting the highly needed capacity enhancement institutions on the ground for Customs.”

All of the parliamentarians in attendance at the plenary overwhelmingly supported the motion and adopted all three of the requested prayers.