By Tony Nzekwe and Olubunmi ISOKPEHI
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has raked in the sum of #1,562,115,419,216.32 for the year 2020 into the federal coffers. The amount generated is over the target of #1,380,765,353,462.00 over the sum of #1,342,006,918,504.55 generated in 2019 pandemic.
This information was contained in a statement issued signed by the service Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah and made available to GLOBAL RAYS Media.
In his remarks, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), said, ” It’s as a result of resolute pursuit of what is right and willingness to adapt to changes brought about by global health challenges occasioned by COVID 19.”
He continued, ” The service revenue generation profile has continued to be on the rise annually and the ongoing reforms in the Service insist on; strategic development of officers strictly using the standard operating procedures; strict enforcement of extant guidelines by the tariff and trade department; automation of the customs process thereby eliminating vices associated with the manuel process and robust stakeholders sensitization resulting in more informed/ voluntary compliance.”
The statement reads in part: ” The partial border closure which had forced Cargoes that could have been smuggled through the porous borders to come through the Sea and Airports raised revenue collection from ports.”
Adding, ” Before the commencement of the border drill on 20th August 2019, revenue generation was between #4billion to #5billion but now NCS generate between #5 billion to #9billion daily. Diplomatic engagements that took place during the partial land border closure yielded many positive results, including Commitment to comply with the ECOWAS protocol on transit operationalization of joint border patrols at both sides of the border.”
It continued, ” The team are required to share intelligence and ensure prevention of transit of prohibited goods into the neighbors territory. Accordingly, service wishes to express it’s readiness to strictly implement the outcome of the diplomatic engagements and the land border open for movement of Cargoes.”
The statement asserted, ” The service efforts to prevent the entry of items that could compromise the security of our citizens, economy and the well being of our people resulted in the seizures of 4,303 assorted items with a duty paid value of #28,287,288,847.52.”
“These seizures include arms, ammunition’s , illicit drugs, used clothing, vegetable oil, frozen poultry and foreign rice among others that have grave consequences on the economy,Security and well being of Nigerians.”
The NCS assured Nigerians of total Commitment to the course of protecting national security and economy, however, seeks the support of business community as our borders open to African Agreement Free Trade Agreement ( AfCTA) in order to benefit the Nigerian economy.
