Customs makes impressive performance
.Records N1.2trn revenue, N61.5bn seizures
By Silas Onuoha
DC Attah:
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), made impressive performance in 2018 operations, as the Service achieved revenue generation of N1.2 trillion for that period.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller, DC Joseph Attah disclosed this, said that the amount Customs realised in 2018 was N164.8 billion higher than the revenue generated in 2017, which was N1.037 trillion”.
According to him, “NCS also recorded 5,235 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N61.5 billion in 2018 economic year.
His words, “These seizures include arms, ammunition, more than 59 containers of Tramadol, other controlled drugs and 320,709 bags of rice”.
DC Attah quoted CGC Ali Hameed, in his statement saying, “The historic feat was due to dogged pursuit of what was right, rather than being populist by compromising national interest on the altar of individual or group interest.
“The increase in annual revenue generation by Customs in the last three years was as a result of the reforms.
“Such reforms covered upgrading the electronic systems from Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System, NICIS I, to NICIS II, which blocked revenue leakages in the system; strict enforcement of extant guidelines by Tariff and Trade Department; effective stakeholders’ engagement, which brought about increase in compliance and increased disposition of Officers to put national interest above selves.
“Though smuggling remains a challenge, the Service’s three layers security strategy continues to make smuggling unattractive to the smugglers.
“As NCS continues to deal decisively with smugglers, fellow citizens, especially border dwellers and port users are advised to support NCS, by reporting smuggling activities to the nearest Customs formation. Together we can protect our economy and security, by joining hands to fight the menace of smuggling to ensure that appropriate Customs duty is paid on every dutiable import.
“We appreciate compliant stakeholders who supported the Service in 2018. We are calling on all Nigerians, especially international trade actors to help make 2019 better for our economy.”
