The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday, said it generated the sum of N1,562,115,419,216.32 for the year 2020. this is often whilst the service said the amount generated is over the target of N1,380,765,353,462.00 set for 2020, and over the sum of N1,342,006,918,504.55 generated in 2019 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commenting on this feat, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col, Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), described it as a results of the resolute pursuit of what’s right and willingness to adapt to changes caused by global health challenges occasioned by COVID-19.
“The service revenue generation profile has continued to be on the increase annually because the ongoing reforms within the Service insist on:
Strategic deployment of officers strictly using the quality procedure .
Strict enforcement of extant guidelines by the tariff and trade department.
Automation of the Customs process thereby eliminating vices related to the manual process.
Robust stakeholder sensitization leading to more informed/voluntary compliance.
Increased disposition of officers and men to place national interest above selves.
“The partial border closure which has forced cargoes that would have been smuggled through the porous borders to return through the ocean and airports raised revenue collection from ports.
“Before the commencement of the border drill on 20th August 2019, revenue generation was between N4 billion to N5 billion but now NCS generate between N5 billion to N9 billion daily.
“Diplomatic engagements that happened during the partial land border closure yielded many positive results, including a commitment to suits the ECOWAS Protocol on Transit. Operationalization of joint border patrols at each side of the border.
“The teams are required to share intelligence and ensure prevention of transit of prohibited goods into the neighbour’s territory. “Accordingly, the Service wishes to precise its readiness to strictly implement the result of the diplomatic engagements because the land borders open for movement of cargoes.
“Intelligence gathered during the period and therefore the introduction of the e-Customs whose components include installation of scanners in the least entry points will enhance border security and boost national trade facilitation.
“Already, the Ministry of Finance has purchased three new Scanners. Interestingly, the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also expressed commitment to buying four Scanners and establish the control centre for monitoring all scanning sites in their bid to spice up the economy , especially agricultural sector. this suggests that within following six months, NCS will have about seven functional Scanners to be mounted at strategic entry points even before the complete deployment of e-Customs components which can see to the deployment of 135 modern Scanners.
“NCS appreciates and commends the leadership of CBN for this strategic intervention within the interest of the state .
In the same vein, the Service efforts to stop the entry of things that would compromise the safety of our citizens, Economy and therefore the well being of our people resulted within the seizures of 4,304 assorted items with a requirement paid value of N28,287,285,847.52.
“These seizures include arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, used clothing, oil , frozen poultry and foreign rice among others that have grave consequences on economic security and well being of Nigerians.
“While we give assurances of total commitment to the course of protecting national security and economy, we turn Nigerians, especially the businessmen to support the NCS as our borders hospitable African Continental free trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in order to profit from the trade agreement and other cross border activities.,” the Customs CG stated during a release signed on Wednesday by DC, Joseph Attah.
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