Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, at the inauguration of a new Customs Headquarters, in Abuja, claimed that policies taken by his administration were deliberately made for the development of the country.
Buhari, while speaking at the inauguration, built at the cost of N19.6bn, said that such policies became legacy programmes because they later became the delight of the people and the country.
He said, “I deliberately closed the borders. I said it is either you eat what you grow or you grow what you eat and later Nigerians appreciated it.”
Buhari, while speaking on corruption, said he had no skeleton inside his cupboard while adding that, “those who are following Nigerian leaders to condemn them for misappropriation and misbehaviour will have a problem with me.”
When asked about the relationship with neighbouring African countries, the president stated that there was a need to maintain a cordial relationship with them.
“When I became the President, my first visit was to Niger, Chad and Cameroon because if you do not secure their confidence, you will be in trouble.’’
In her remarks, Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning said the new customs headquarters was a symbol of the present government’s commitment to effective service delivery, adding the board under her leadership, prioritised customs’ staff welfare.
She said the board ensured “regular promotion for customs personnel, training opportunities”, among others.
She thanked the president for signing the Nigeria Customs Act 2022, saying it would go a long way in enabling the service to meet up with international best practices and also the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other stakeholders for their continued support, adding that it had enhanced the service’s mandate of trade facilitation and revenue generation.
In his opening remark, Comptroller of Customs retired Col. Hammed Ali said he ensured the building was completed to create a conducive environment for personnel to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
“When I assumed office in 2015, I was resolute on implementing the three “Rs”; Reform, Restructure and Raise the Revenue profile of the Service.
“In view of this, I was not in doubt that a conducive environment is important and that is why I ensured the completion of the new corporate headquarters.”
Ali stated that the building was technologically friendly with the necessary facilities to monitor activities at the different borders and commands across the country, adding the building, which sits on approximately 25,000 square meters, was designed and constructed by indigenous firms.
NAN