The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Port has collected a total of Two hundred and Thirty-Seven billion, Two hundred and Sixty-Five million, Five hundred and Thirty-Eight thousand, Five hundred and Sixty-Seven Naira, Eighty-Eight kobo (N237,265,538,567.88) between January and October 2017.
This figure is against the sum of Two hundred and Seven billion, Nine hundred and Thirty Four million, Seven hundred and Four thousand, Nine hundred and Six Naira, Twenty Three kobo (N207,934,704,906.23) in the corresponding period of 2016.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) at the Command, Comptroller Bashar Yusuf, while reminiscing on the giant strides of the Command, emphasized that the Command has been repositioned for greater functionality.
In his narrative of the performance, the Controller pointed out that the Command has developed operational templates which were carefully articulated to encompass adherence to due diligence on the part of the stakeholders and entrenchment of professionalism and integrity on the psyche of the officers.
He also pointed out that the Command relied mostly on capacity building, training and re-training to extract reasonable level of professional integrity from the officers which ultimately led to the increase in Revenue Collection.
“You will recall that the Command alone have recorded three different seizures of catche of arms and have recently seized two containers load of suspected controlled drugs (Tramadol) falsely declared as used vehicle and computer accessories” he said.
The Controller also stressed that the Command have undoubtedly diminished the capacity of such unpatriotic importers through several measures aimed at nipping such issues in the bud.
He declared that seizures were made through high profile intelligence using ICT as a major tool.
“Our new strategic focus has strengthen not only statutory responsibility of Revenue Generation but also safety of lives by decimating the tendency of unscrupulous importers who bring in unwholesome drugs, particularly Tramadol which consumption would naturally have a consequential effect on our large population of youth, thereby ultimately affecting their educational pursuits and socio-economic wellbeing amongst other negative effects.
Recently, Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari was in Turkey with the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) alongside other top government functionaries on a diplomatic visit and the issue of arms were discussed after which a memorandum of understanding was signed with a view to ensure that such illicit imports are curtailed.
Speaking further, the Controller applauded the improved compliant of our stakeholders and urged them to maintain the path.
On his plans for the yuletide season, the Controller re-assured that no stone would be left unturned in his efforts to ensure a sustained increase in Revenue Generation and facilitation of legitimate trade.
The Controller showered encomiums on CGC Ali and his managements for the promotion of five officers in Tincan Port found worthy in the recent arms seizures, noting that it will naturally spur others to greater efficiency.
“It is instructive to note that the Nigeria Customs Service is putting measures in place to curb the influx of arms which is why the Service recently unveiled plans to introduce the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme, a platform that will enhance the streamlining of cargo clearance”.
He stated that AEO is a programme introduced by the World Customs Organization to facilitate trade with security situation associated with the Import and Export businesses across international borders.
The Controller stated that the Command have leveraged on the change ideology of the CGC by ensuring that all loopholes for revenue leakages are blocked, while also applying sanctions for false and under declarations. He reiterated his position on compliant declarants and promised that every reasonable support would be extended to such category of traders by way of expeditious access to cargo clearance in line with global best practices.
“We will continue to rejig and re-strategize to ensure that we remain on top of our statutory functions with a view to ensuring that the confidence reposed on us by the CGC and the Customs Management is not taken for granted”.
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