By Bon Peters
The Customs Area Controller Area II Command, Onne Port of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Baba Imam, has disclosed that the command generated about N313 billion, about 93 per cent of the N336 billion revenue target for 2023.
He disclosed this while marking the 2024 International Customs Day over the weekend in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Mr Imam stated that the amount surpassed the 2022 collection by N71 billion and represented a 30 per cent improvement.
“As of today, Friday, January 26, 2024, the command has collected N31.5 billion, which is above the 2023 January collection of N20.1 billion, with five days left to the end of this month,” he revealed.
In export, he said 1,929,121.22 metric tonnes of goods with a free on board (FOB) value of $10.2 billion or N9.5 trillion was processed through the command in 2023, and a total of N2.0 billion was recorded for Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS), insisting that “these are just a few of the results achieved with the purposeful engagement of our stakeholders and partners.”
Commenting on the theme for this year’s International Customs Day, Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose, Mr Imam said it was chosen to highlight the importance of collaboration and cooperation between customs administrations, International organizations, private sector entities and other stakeholders.
“By joining forces with both traditional and new partners, customs agencies can enhance their effectiveness in promoting trade facilitation, combating illicit trade, and supporting sustainable development,” he submitted.
On Area 11 Command, he further maintained that traditional partners such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), security/border and law enforcement agencies, regulatory authorities, shipping lines, customs agents, terminal operators, and road transport workers, as well as the media, have continued to be vital in ensuring customs operations run smoothly, emphasising that collaboration with these partners allows customs to share information, intelligence, and best practices, leading to coordinated efforts in addressing legitimate trade and other transnational threats such as smuggling.
Speaking further, he disclosed that the command would enhance its risk management capabilities, streamline processes and improve overall operational efficiency by leveraging the expertise of those traditional partners.
“In today’s interconnected world, the command needs to engage with new partners to stay ahead of the curve and respond effectively to evolving challenges as they arise,” he said.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Aduragbemi Omiyale