Senate to FG: Build Bauchi Customs Academy/Training School With N14.2bn in 2023 Budget

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja 

The Senate Thursday urged the Federal Government to use the already appropriated N14. 2 billion in the 2023 budget for the  construction of Nigerian Customs Academy/Training School in Bauchi.

It also mandated its Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, when constituted, to embark on effective oversight on construction and completion of the envisioned One-Stop Shop operational centre for the revenue generating agency.

Senate’s resolutions followed a motion sponsored to that effect by Senator Umar Shehu Buba (APC Bauchi South) and 16 other senators. 

Buba, in the motion, noted that the proposed Nigerian Customs Service Training School/Academy is envisioned to be a one-stop shop for the revenue generating agency.

The senator said: “It consists of administrative block, perimeter fence, senior staff housing, generator house, staff room, classrooms, library, laboratories and workshop/dining hall.

“It also consists of girls’ hostel, boys’ hostel, intermediate staff housing, sport area, chief security office etc, which is estimated to gulp approximately the sum of N14,200,000,000. 

“Construction of the aforestated additional Customs Training/Academy to the existing ones will provide the needed professional training towards meeting the demands of institution in the country.

“It will bring 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.

“It will be recalled that due to unethical conduct in the discharge of their duties, this revered Senate on the 19th day of July, 2023, considered a motion on reckless abuse of firearms by officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service which led to loss of innocent lives.

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

All the senators, who contributed to the motion, supported it with attendant adoption of the three prayers sought.