ACG tour Day-4 : Customs at KLT hits N4.3bn revenue collection

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*As ACG Zone ‘A’ gives Compt Swomen special commendation on revenue profile

(Report by Udeme Clement):

The Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in charge of Zone ‘A’, ACG Modupe Aremu (Mrs), has commended offiicers of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command (KLT), for remarkable performance in revenue collection for the Federal Government and trade facilitation for economic growth and development.

ACG Aremu, gave the commendation yesterday, which was day-4 of her tour of Customs Commands in Zone ‘A’.

Her words: “KLT is the only Off- Dock maritime Command in Lagos.
I am highly impressed by the remarkable performance of the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Compt H. J. Swomen and his team.

“Looking at the records here, the Command has done very well in revenue generation, moving from average monthly collection of N1.8billion in 2020, to N4.3billion in July 2021. This is highly commendable because it requires a lot of work and discipline to achieve this.

“Compt Swomen, you have done very well, but you can do more. I’m really impressed by your records. So, by December this year, we are expecting N5 billion and above.

“Always ensure working collaboration and timely use of intelligence with other security agencies.
For instance, through Intelligence sharing Apapa Command made seizure of hard drugs concealed in Machine components”.

In his speech, Compt Swomen, pointed out,
“KLT holds a unique position as the only Off- Dock Command in Lagos, therefore we depend on stemming and transfers of cargo from Apapa and TinCan Island Ports. The difficulties involved in transferring consignments on transire, payment of terminal charges in the mother ports and at the destination Terminals, bad roads, challenges of barging meant that we had to work hard to secure the cargo volume that would translate to revenue.

“On assumption of duty in the Command nine months ago, I reiterated the reform agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Hameed Ali, including improved revenue collection, integrity, discipline, proper joint physical examination and trade facilitation.
This led to the revenue increase from an average monthly collection of N1.8billion in 2020 to N3billion in 2021, with N4.3 billion in July and N3.5 billion in August, 2021. This is juxtaposed against a monthly target of N1,752,838,672.16 (N1.7 billion).”

” I can assure the ACG and her management team that we are working hard to do even better including reactivation of hitherto moribund terminals, the results of which are already manifesting.”

The CAC went on; “The Command made a total of three seizures of five containers with Duty Paid Value of N55.7million, comprising used tyres, vegetable oil and expired bottled water.

“Also, the Command hosted the pilot implementation phase for Vehicle VREG system introduced by Ministry of Finance to capture details of all vehicles, the benefits of which include a National Vehicle Database that commenced in the Command by 2021, and has been a success.

“Other actions by the Command include
provision of Solar Lighting for the station, which hitherto used to be in darkness at night.
Noteworthy is also the robust cooperation by Customs units – PCA, Valuation, CIU and Customs Police, as well as other relevant security Agencies operating in the Command.”

Compt Swomen enthused;
“The assumption of duty by such a seasoned officer to the mantle of leadership in the Zonal Headquarters, as ACG Zone ‘A’ has elicited hope, vigour and joyous expectation amongst officers and men in Zone ‘A’. This is based on your rich experience to which many of us can attest, having worked with you and also your exemplary records in different offices and Command positions you held.

“May God Almighty grant you the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the Zone and it is our prayer that we shall by His Grace celebrate your success”.

Other formations visited by ACG Aremu, yesterday include Western Marine Command and Lagos Industrial.
The tour was a huge success.
Our Correspendent observed that ACG Aremu, was very pragmatic. She listened attentively at every Command, wrote down issues enumerated by Area Controllers and responded accordingly, even as she promised to report back to CGC Hameed Ali and the top Customs management.

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