Nigeria Customs collaborates with agencies for effective service delivery

The Nigerian Customs Service is collaborating with the relevant government agencies for the effective implementation of the country’s Finance Act 2021 aimed at increasing revenue for budget implementation.

The Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) made this known while defending the agency’s budget for the 2022 Financial year, before the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise.

Col. Ali who stressed the need for stringent measures to block revenue leakages said the Service is maintaining such collaboration to stop tax evasion by some companies and businesses for the benefit of the country.

“One of the key focuses of the service in the 2022 fiscal year is the full implementation of its operation. E-Customs project will also include the automation of customs agency licenses, vehicles identification numbers, etc are expected to encourage and enhance the general performance of the service hopefully by March this year, the project will take-off.” Col. Ali added.

Earlier, the Chairman House Committee on Customs and Excise, Mr. Leke Abejide urged the Service to strengthen its corporate social responsibility to restore people’s confidence for effective service.

While challenging the service to work towards its revenue target, Mr. Abejide said the National Assembly is working towards ensuring proper equipment and training to the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs to serve the nation better.

“The Committees of Customs of both chambers of the Senate and House of Representatives have concluded that reasonable amount enough to put back into use the 13 scanners out of the 22 that were collapsed,” Abejide emphasized.

The Committee had approved the Three Hundred and Sixty-Nine Billion Naira for Personnel, overhead, and Capital Budget of the Customs Service for 2022 Fiscal Year with projected revenue of Two-Point-One Trillion Naira.

Report of the committee is expected to be laid before the House at a plenary for passage in due course.

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