By Bon Peters
The Onne, Area 11 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has so far generated N301 billion, representing 90 per cent of its revenue target for 2023.
The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Baba Imam, disclosed this to journalists Tuesday in Onne, Rivers State, during an end-of-year Recognition/Award of Excellence presentation to officers, consignees and stakeholders.
The recognition, according to Mr Imam, was “initiated to boost the morale of officers and other stakeholders who have positively contributed to the revenue growth and achievements of the command.”
The Comptroller also stated that the event became necessary to enable the command to reflect on its successes and achievements in the past months and to identify gaps to initiate mechanisms that would enhance business in 2024.
“Our revenue target for the year is about N336 billion and as of today, we have been able to secure N301 billion, representing about 90 per cent of our target,” he said.
On anti-smuggling, Mr Imam insisted that the command had taken steps that would continue to serve as a deterrent to offenders of import laws by ensuring that there was conformity to import guidelines.
He also revealed that about 39 containers which made up the total number of seizures have been recorded within the period under review.
On trade facilitation, he added that the command was committed and resolute to facilitating trade even as he applauded the robust synergy between customs and other sister government agencies at the ports insisting that every stakeholder was allowed to thrive.
He, however, stressed the importance of training and re-training of officers and consignees, which he insisted was a major boost to the year’s achievements.
The top officer of the agency noted that, “We have brought our officers to speed to meet targets. We have also trained our officers in different aspects of the job to enable them to perform optimally.”
On the seized items, Imam emphasized that, “Notably, amongst the nature of imported items which contravened import guidelines were, second-hand clothing, used tyres, concealment of hard drugs, pistols arms and ammunition among others which negate import and export guidelines which were subsequently handed over to relevant authorities.”
Mr Imam praised the officers and men of his command for achieving the great feat in revenue generation, especially in the second quarter of 2023, where he said over N38 billion was generated.
He described this as the first of its kind, noting that such a feat would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of the Comptroller General of Customs, Comptroller Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team.
Mr Imam used the occasion which was used to honour officers and men of the command who distinguished themselves in their various departments with awards of excellence.
Also speaking at the event, the chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Onne Seaport Chapter, Mr Mike Ebeatu, commended the Comptroller for providing an enabling business environment through consistent synergy and sensitisation of consignees and other stakeholders at the ports.
In his vote of thanks, DC Administration, Mr Ojike Iheanacho Ernest, thanked all that graced the occasion, pointing out that even with the economic situation in the country, the command was still meeting the target.
Dipo Olowookere 
Adedapo Adesanya