The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has tasked Nigerians to patronise locally-made products to boost the country’s economy.
Comptroller Dera Nnadi of Tin-Can Island Customs Command gave the advice during a courtesy visit to his office by Executive members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council on Thursday in Lagos.
According to the recently- deployed Tin Can Customs boss, the NCS will continue to engage relevant stakeholders in order to boost Nigeria’s economy.
“We are all aware that Nigeria Customs Service generates huge revenue for Nigeria and this is one of the reasons why we must be seen to be alive to our responsibilities.
“Beyond the issue of revenue generation, data emanating from NCS helps the Nigerian Government to formulate policies for economic growth, national security and for environmental and social security”, he explained.
Reacting to the high exchange rate bedeviling Nigeria’s economy, Nnadi gave assurances of the Naira bouncing back in spite of the fact that the surge would promote Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the country.
The Comptroller urged Nigerians to look inward and consume locally-made products, describing it as an avenue to grow the economy.
‘Whatever we produce locally and export will boost our earnings because of the exchange rate, not forgetting that the exchange rate will discourage importation of luxury items, ” he said..
With regards to revenue generation, Nnadi said Tin-Can Island Command would do all within its jurisdiction concerning 48 per cent of its uncollected revenue to meet the target for 2023 in the next two months.
He commended the media for being a partner in progress and tasked journalists to keep projecting the activities of the NCS.
“We will continue to partner with the media so that our intentions and actions can be properly understood by the public.
“We acknowledge the sacrifices journalists are making towards making sure that we deliver on our mandate and we shall continue to work together,” the comptroller said.
In his reaction, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, commended Comptroller Nnadi’s media-friendly gesture.
“You have always made us proud and this is one of the reasons this visit is a home-coming.
“We celebrate your giant strides, which is evident of the confidence reposed in you by the Executive Management of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“The appointment of Comptroller Nnadi three weeks ago to head the Tin Can Island Customs Command, which is the second largest revenue earner, did not come as a surprise to the media.
“This is because the Comptroller is more than capable, very committed and passionate about excellence at any duty post he finds himself, ” Ajayi said.
The NUJ Chairman reiterated the commitment of Lagos journalists to continue to project the activities of NCS.
“We want to put it on record that we are extending to you the same co-operation we extended to the Comptroller-General of Customs Service, Mr Wale Adeniyi, who is also a long-standing and a very good friend of the NUJ.
“We also know that you will not allow fraudulent importers and exporters who are bent in shortchanging the government of its revenue through illicit importation and smuggling.
“We also intend to partner with the command on capacity building of journalists, especially our colleagues covering the Maritime beat in order to be able to quote you appropriately.
“We wish you a very successful tenure of office and promise you our cooperation and partnership all the time,” the NUJ chairman stated.
