Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) beat its revenue generation target for the year 2020 by 8.7 per cent, raking N1.5 trillion in the COVID-19 ravaged year.
This information was revealed by the revenue generating agency by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Joseph Attah, via a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the service, despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was able to exceeded its target of N1.4 trillion.
It was deduced that the revenue generated in 12 months was 11.9 per cent more than the sum of N1.3 trillion generated in the previous year.
Quoting the Comptroller-General of the Customs, Mr Hameed Ali, the service noted that the feat was a result of the resolute pursuit of what was right and willingness to adapt to changes brought about by global health challenges occasioned by COVID-19.
Mr Ali said the service revenue generation profile had continued to be on the rise annually as the ongoing reforms in the service insisted on strategic deployment of officers strictly using the standard operating procedure
“We also insist on 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.
“Others are robust stakeholder sensitisation resulting in more informed and voluntary compliance as well as the increased disposition of officers and men to put national interest above selves.
“The partial border closure which has forced cargoes that could have been smuggled through the porous borders to come through the sea and airports raised revenue collection from ports.
“Before the commencement of the border drill on 20th August 2019, revenue generation was between N4 billion to N5 billion, but now NCS generates between N5 billion to N9 billion daily.
“Diplomatic engagements that took place during the partial land border closure yielded many positive results, including a commitment to comply with the ECOWAS Protocol on Transit and operationalisation of joint border patrols at both sides of the border.
“The teams are required to share intelligence and ensure prevention of transit of prohibited goods into the neighbour’s territory,” Mr Ali explained.
The customs boss expressed the readiness of the service to strictly implement the outcome of the diplomatic engagements as the land borders open for movement of cargoes.
He said that the intelligence gathered during the period and the introduction of the e-Customs, whose components include installation of scanners at all entry points, would enhance border security and boost national trade facilitation.
