Customs hits over N1.5 trillion revenue *NCS will get 7 functional scanners in six months -Says DC Joseph Attah

Customs hits over N1.5 trillion revenue 

*NCS will get 7 functional scanners in six months -Says DC Joseph Attah

By Udeme Clement

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has generated a huge sum of over of N1.5 trillion for the Federal Government in 2020 fiscal year.

The amount generated is over the target of N1,380,765,353,462.00 and more than the sum of N1,342,006,918,504.55 generated in 2019 by the Service.

DC Joseph Attah, the National
Public Relations Officer of Customs made this disclosure.

Most impressively, NCS recorded this feat despite the covid-19 pandemic that affected economic activities in the country.

Commenting on this outstanding performance, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col, Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), described it 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.

Thus, the Service revenue generation profile continues to be on the rise annually, as the on-going reforms in the Service insist on strategic deployment of officers strictly using standard operating procedure; strict enforcement of extant guidelines by tariff and trade department.

Others include automation of Customs processes, thereby eliminating vices associated with manual procedures; robust stakeholders sensitisation, resulting in more informed/voluntary compliance; increased disposition of officers and men to put national interest above selves; partial border closure, which forced cargoes that could have been smuggled through the porous borders to come through the sea and airports raised revenue collection from ports.

Recall that before the commencement of border drill on August 20, 2019, revenue generation was between N4 billion to N5 billion but now NCS generates between N5 billion to N9 billion daily.

Diplomatic engagements that took place during the partial land border closure yielded many positive results, including commitment to comply with ECOWAS Protocol on Transit and operationalisation of joint border patrols at both sides 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 express its readiness to strictly implement the outcome of diplomatic engagements, as the land borders open for movement of cargoes.

Intelligence gathered during the period and introduction of e-Customs whose components include installation of scanners at all entry points will enhance border security and boost national trade facilitation.
Already Ministry of Finance has purchased three new Scanners. Interestingly, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also expressed commitment to purchasing four Scanners and establishing the control center for monitoring all scanning sites in a bid to boost national economy, especially agricultural sector.

This means within the next six months, NCS will have about seven functional Scanners to be mounted at strategic entry points even before full deployment of e-Customs components, which will see to deployment of 135 modern Scanners.
NCS appreciates and commends the leadership of CBN for this strategic intervention in the interest of the nation.

In the same vein, the Service efforts to prevent entry of items that could compromise the Security of our citizens, Economy and the well being of our people resulted in the seizures of 4,304 assorted items with a duty paid value of N28,287,285,847.52.
These seizures include arms, ammunitions, illicit drugs, used clothing, vegetable oil, frozen poultry and foreign rice among others that have grave consequences on economy security and well being of Nigerians.
While we give assurances of total commitment to the course of protecting national security and economy, we call on Nigerians, especially the business community to support NCS, as our borders open to African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in order to benefit from the trade agreement and other cross border activities.