The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has generated N2.3trillion revenue into the federation account, exceeding its 2021 revenue target of 1.679trillion by over N700 billion.
Deputy National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Timi Bomodi, who disclosed this at a stakeholders and media briefing in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, said the Service had also integrated and automated over 90 percent of its activities.
Mr. Bomodi said the feat was achieved through the diligence and hard work of the Service personnel with support from key stakeholders.
“The 2021 has been eventful for NCS, as it has achieved major milestones, in spite of the debilitating effect of COVID-19, which has had negative effects on the socio-economic lives of people around the globe.
“The year began with high expectations with regards to revenue generation and the enforcement of fiscal policy and based on the 2020 target achieved was given the onerous task of collecting N1.679 trillion into the federation account.
“In all its key performance indexes, the Service was able to achieve remarkable successes through the diligence and hard work of its officers and the support of key stakeholders. In the current year, the NCS has already exceeded expectations in revenue generation by going beyond the target set for it by the government, achieving N2.3 trillion,” he said.
Anti Smuggling
In the area of anti-smuggling, Bomodi said the NCS has made landmark seizures of prohibited and dangerous items including arms and ammunition, pangolin scales and hard drugs among others.
He explained that “In August, the Service made seizures of 17,137 kg of pangolin scales, 44 kg elephant tusks and 60 kg in pangolin claws all valued at over N22billion.
“This was made possible through active collaboration between NCS, U.S, the UK, and German officials who helped in tracking the suspicious shipment and led to the arrest and prosecution of some foreign nationals and their local collaborators.
“In October FOU operatives in Zone A seized 751 bullets concealed in garri sacks, while arms, ammunition and military uniforms were intercepted at Tincan port Lagos in September just to mention a few.
“Our warehouses in all border formations are overflowing with seizures of rice, groundnut oil, used clothing, used vehicles and others.
“At Apapa Area 1 Command, through the cooperation of other sister agencies and the Nigerian Navy a landmark seizure of cocaine with a DPV of $54 million was made. This seizure was unique for the fact that the illicit substance was found in one of the compartments of a bulk carrier of sugar.
“In the same Command 97 containers carrying illicit, expired drugs and other offensive goods with a DPV of N17.5billion were seized.”
Bomodi said that the arrests and seizures were daily features in the activities of customs officers nationwide, which underscored the fact that they operate in a highly non-compliant environment.
According to him, the NCS is looking forward to a work environment where respect for principles and practice of international trade are the watchwords.
“We hope in 2022, importers, exporters and their agents will comply willingly and take full advantage of the opportunities NCS offers for expedited clearance,” he said.
E-Custom Project
Bomodi said that the e-customs project, which is expected to take off in 2022 would provide end-to-end automation aimed at eliminating physical contact.
“The Service in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance has also introduced the National Vehicle Registry VReg portal which among other things incorporates an automated vehicle valuation mechanism that authenticate Vehicle Identity Number (VIN) and validates the make, model and year of manufacture for easy assessment of value for Customs purposes.
“NCS has also introduced mobile applications for verifying the authenticity of documents by enforcement officers on patrol. This app will eliminate delays in verifying genuine Customs documents on our highways making it difficult for forgers to get away with their illegal acts, while easing the journeys of law-abiding citizens,” he explained.
Also speaking, Controller, Apapa command, Comptroller Malanta Yusuf said in facilitating trade, the Service has deployed tools such as the fast-track scheme and provisional release among others to enable compliant traders clear their consignment on time from the port without incurring unnecessary demurrage.
“The NCS is also making sure that the deployment of scanners ensures the use of selectivity in the trade supply chain so that items that are suspicious are deployed for physical examination while those not suspicious will be released outrightly or go through documentary checks,” he said.
Malanta, while urging importers to ensure they make honest and transparent declaration, noted that the NCS would only facilitate legitimate trade.
Confidence Okwuchi
