Customs rakes in over N2.2trillion

Customs rakes in over N2.2trillion

* Surpasses revenue target

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has realised a huge sum of over N2.2 trillion as revenue collection for the Federal Government in 2021 fiscal year.

The National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Compt Joseph Attah, disclosed this on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Hameed Ali.

According to him :
“The N2,240,880,308,195.77 trillion collected in  2021 economic year is over the target of N1,678,715,016,014.00 trillion set for the year. It is also over the sum of N1,562,115,419,216.32 trillion generated in 2020, which represents 43.45 percent increase.”

Commenting on this feat, CGC Hameed Ali 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.

His assertions :
“The Service revenue profile continues to be on the rise annually, as the on-going reforms in the Service insist on strategic deployment of officers strictly using the standard operating procedure.

“Strict enforcement of extant guidelines by tariff and trade department.
Automation of Customs process, thereby eliminating vices associated with the manual process.
Robust stakeholder’ sensitization resulting in more informed/voluntary compliance.

” Increased disposition of officers and men to put national interest above selves.
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 seizures of 5,096 assorted items with a duty paid value of N13,796,646,685.60 and 160 suspects at different levels of Investigation or Prosecution”.

He informed :
“Other landmark achievements in 2021 that are capable of boosting national security and economy are; installation of three brand new Scanners in Apapa, Tin-Can Island and Onne Ports.

” Introduction of mobile tracker. A mobile application that enables individuals to remotely validate any declaration/payment and most importantly the status of any vehicle/cargo at any point. It can be installed in mobile devices.

” Introduction of Standard Operating Procedure for the use of Scanners. Acquisition of rugged, gun trucks to secure anti-smuggling operatives in an increasingly hostile environment.

“E-customs take-off process now at the stage of final signing of agreement. All these are expected to impact positively on trade facilitation, fight smuggling, block revenue leakages and significantly impact on revenue generation and national security”.

More so, the Customs management recognises the selfless efforts of Officers and Men who remained undaunted throughout the year resulting in these achievements.  In the light of this, the Customs boss commends all Officers and Men for their doggedness and charges all to do more in 2022.

He also appreciates and commends the increasing numbers of compliant traders, noting that compliance is a patriotic thing to do by citizens who desire a better nation.

While giving the assurances of the Service determination to continuously seek ways of making it easy for stakeholders to comply, the CGC prayed for the repose of the souls of operatives who paid the supreme price in the course of fighting smugglers. The living, he said must sustain the fight in honour of the departed.

“NCS remains totally committed to the course of protecting national security and economy. We call on Nigerians, especially the business community to support Customs, as our borders open to African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), in order to benefit from the trade agreement and other cross border activities”, he said.