The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated N6, 906,416,022.11 revenue for 2020.
The state controller of the service, Comptroller Ahmed Hussaini Bello fsi, disclosed this at a news briefing in Ilorin on Tuesday.
Mr. Ahmed explained that what was realised in 2020 was N4,502,097,979.11 more than the 2017 collection, which was N2, 404,318,043.00.
Similarly, he said a total of 84 seizures with duty paid value (DPV) of N345, 205,100 were made, pointing out that the feat was achieved through the re-jigged efforts of the command.
According to him, these seizures include 3,551 Bags of foreign parboiled Rice (Approximately Five (5) Trailers of Rice), 51 Used Vehicles, 3,543 Kg of Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa), 225 Kegs of vegetables oil, and 30 Jerri cans of PMS.
He added that the Command, since his assumption of office on the 5th July, 2019, has so far generated and remitted N 9,310,734,065.11 into the federation account.
He hinted that the 2020 generation of N6, 906,416,022.11 represent 86% of the year’s annual target.
Speaking further, he said, “The reasons for not meeting the stipulated last year target was as a result of Pandemic that came with lockdown, Endsars protest and Border Drill Exercise (Partial Border Closure) that was initiated by the Federal Government, which commenced on 20th August, 2019, placing temporary embargo on movement of goods and persons through the land borders nationwide. In the month of April, 2020, the command could not generate a single Kobo as a result of lockdown.
“It’s no longer news that, on Friday, 23rd October, 2020, the Command came under attack by hoodlums disguised as #Endsars Protesters with an obvious intention of looting and setting the command and government properties ablaze. The hoodlums came in large numbers armed with guns, machetes, axes, charms and other dangerous weapons in an attempt to unleash mayhem on the Command. During the mob action, two of our officers sustained varying degrees of injuries. It is important to state that Twenty Seven (27) motorcycles and Two (2) Keke Napeps meant to move goods out of the command were seized and Two (2) suspects arrested during the encounter.”
He reiterated the commands’ commitment to ensuring that smuggling business becomes unattractive through vigorous community and public enlightenment, sensitization on the dangers of smuggling and its impact on economy and national security, urging those he tagged enemies of Nigerian economy “to take the advantage of various federal government programs on agriculture such as Anchored Borrowers for Rice Farming and Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS)”.
On inter- agency collaboration and synergy, he stated that a total number of 48 sacks containing 3,593kg of Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) was successfully handed over to NDLEA during the period under review and the collaboration with Nigerian Army paid off when hoodlums attacked the customs’ office, adding that 2 suspects arrested in connection with the incident were equally handed over to the Nigeria Police.
He said, “I’m happy to inform you today that the aftermath of EndSar Protest was a commendation letter sent to us by the Comptroller General of Customs and his able management team for exhibiting such gallantry, in terms of excellent performance, integrity, high ethical standard, good conduct and unalloyed commitment to the service.
“We appreciate compliant stakeholders and border communities for their cooperation and support. The command will take advantage of resources available to increase revenue collection, facilitation of legitimate trade and improving community relations. The command will continue to support the ongoing border drill operations with a view to protect the nation from insecurity and menace of smuggling.
“I want to use this great opportunity to appeal to well-meaning members of the public who will want to engage in legitimate business to come forward for clarification or visit the command Headquarters for trade facilitation and other enquiries.
“The recalcitrant ones who still insist on engaging in the illicit business of smuggling should be well advised that they will not escape the long arm of the law. We shall ensure that maximum revenue collection is realized as directed by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), policy on suppression of smuggling activities, blockage of revenue leakages without compromising national interest and security of the Nation.”