The Comptroller General of Customs Service, Mr Abdullahi Dikko, has called for effective border patrol among countries in the West and Central African region.

Mr Dikko who spoke at a meeting in Abuja, on Wednesday, said that “effective border management remains key to helping government generate revenues from other sources in the face of dwindling oil prices”.

As expected, officials were in full attendance with special focus on how to efficiently respond to challenges confronting border management in the region.

With issues of insecurity, diseases and how to diversify the economy of the region, officials present at the meeting believe that now is the time to fix all loose ends in the interest of the economy.

While countries like Nigeria and Ghana are said to be doing well in terms of revenue generation over the years, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation, Mr Kunio Mikuriya believes that Nigeria could share its experience of success with other African countries lagging behind.

With the prices of oil falling in recent times, the consensus at the meeting was that border patrol remains a vital tool in protecting the economy.