The Nigeria Customs Service on Wednesday said it generated N1.56tn in 2020.
It said the amount generated was over the target of N1.38tn and over the sum of N1.34tn generated in 2019 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Comptroller-General of customs, Hameed Ali, said the feat was a result of the resolute pursuit of what was right and the willingness to adapt to changes brought about by global health challenges occasioned by COVID-19.
The NCS in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Joseph Attah, said its revenue generation profile had continued to be on the rise annually based on the ongoing reforms in the service.
It further stated that the partial border closure which forced cargoes that could have been smuggled through the porous borders to come through the sea and airports raised revenue collection from the ports.
The NCS said, “Before the commencement of the border drill on August 20, 2019, revenue generation was between N4bn to N5bn but now NCS generates between N5bn to N9bn daily.
“Diplomatic engagements that took place during the partial land border closure yielded many positive results, including commitment to comply with the ECOWAS protocol on transit operationalisation of joint border patrols at both sides of the border.”
It said the teams were required to share intelligence and ensure prevention of transit of prohibited goods into the neighbour’s territory.
“Accordingly, the service wishes to express its readiness to strictly implement the outcome of the diplomatic engagements as the land borders open for movement of cargoes,” it said.
The NCS stated that intelligence gathered during the period and the introduction of the e-Customs, whose components included installation of scanners at all entry points would enhance border security and boost national trade facilitation.
It stated that already, the Federal Ministry of Finance had purchased three new scanners, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria had also expressed commitment to purchasing four scanners.
It said the CBN would establish the control centre for monitoring all scanning sites in its bid to boost national economy, especially agricultural sector.
“This means that within the next six months, NCS will have about seven functional scanners to be mounted at strategic entry points even before the full deployment of e-Customs components, which will see to the deployment of 135 modern scanners,” it said.
It further noted that its effort to prevent the entry of items that could compromise security, economy and the wellbeing of citizens resulted in the seizures of 4,304 assorted items with a duty paid value of N28,287,285,847.52.
The service said the seizures included arms, ammunitions, illicit drugs, used clothing, vegetable oil, frozen poultry and foreign rice, among others.
It called on Nigerians, especially the business community, to support the NCS as the country’s borders open to African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
