The Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday said it generated the sum of N2,240,880,308,195.77 for the year 2021. The amount generated is over the target of N1,678,715,016,014.00 set for the year and over the sum of N1,562,115,419,216.32 generated in 2020 representing a 43.45% increase.
In a press statement signed by the Service’ Public Relations Officer, Compt. Joseph Attah, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col, Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) ascribed the growth to the resolute of the Officers, the pursuit of what is right, and willingness to adapt to changes brought about by global health challenges occasioned by covid-19.
Hameed Ali said "The Service revenue generation profile has continued to be on the rise annually as the ongoing reforms in the Service insist on Strategic deployment of officers strictly using the standard operating procedure, Strict enforcement of extant guidelines by the tariff and trade department and Automation of the Customs process thereby eliminating vices associated with the manual process.’’
According to him, in a bid to ensure efficiency in the service, Robust stakeholder sensitization resulting in more informed/voluntary compliance and Increased disposition of officers and men to put national interest above selves were carried out.
He said the Service efforts to prevent the entry of items that could compromise the security of citizens, the Economy, and the well-being of Nigerians resulted in the seizures of 5,096 assorted items with a Duty Paid Value of N13,796,646,685.60 and the arrest of 160 suspects at different levels of Investigation or Prosecution.
Hameed Ali said Other landmark achievements in 2021 that are capable of boosting national security and economy are: The installation of three (3) brand new Scanners in Apapa, Tin-Can Island, and Onne Port, 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.
Other measures include the Introduction of Standard Operating procedures for the use of Scanners, and Acquisition of rugged, gun trucks to secure anti-smuggling operatives in an increasingly hostile environment, and the E-customs take-off process now at the final stage of the agreement.
All these are expected to impact positively on trade facilitation, fighting to smuggle, block revenue leakages, and significantly impact revenue generation and national security.
While commending all officers for the achievement, the Comptroller-General of Customs reiterated the commitment of the service to assure competency and compliance from stakeholders
‘’NCS remains committed to the course of protecting national security and economy, we call on Nigerians, especially the business community to support the NCS as our borders open to African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to benefit from the trade agreement and other cross border activities.’’ He concluded.
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