The Nigeria Customs Service, on Thursday said it had sacked and prosecuted over 2000 of its officers that were found wanting since 2015.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), disclosed this to journalists during the 54th Session of the state House Ministerial Briefing, organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Aso Rock Villa.
Responding to questions on what he had been able to do to rid the Service of corrupt officials, the CG disclosed that over 2,000 officers have been dismissed for one form of misconduct and complicity or the other since he took over as the head of the Service.
He noted that the custom’s fight against smuggling had since evolved, thereby necessitating the procurement of additional aircraft to intercept smuggling across Nigeria’s borders.
These efforts, he explained, were in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force.
He noted that customs had also collected N2.14tn so far in 2022, as against the projected N3.02tn, adding that the shortfall was because the Federal Government was yet to commence the collection of telecommunications tax.
According to him, the protracted controversies around the agency to collect the Telecommunication Tariff which was recently resolved in favour of the NCS would affect the N3.02tn target.
Ali also said that the delay in the collection of carbonated drinks tax may also pose another challenge.
The Customs boss said the Service only recently commenced the collection of the tax which he noted was also part of the assumption at the time the 2022 target was set.
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The Customs CG also said that the Service would realize at least $17.6 billion after the conclusion of the automation of its operations in a few years.
He projected that Customs would need $3.5 billion to fully automate its operations and limit human interactions.
He also warned that imported rice was unfit for consumption and dangerous to human health.
According to him, imported rice is being preserved with chemicals that have short life span. Consequently, customs officers regularly seize such items from the markets to safeguard Nigerians.
The seized bags of rice, he said, are thereafter distributed to IDP camps and the needy after certification by NAFDAC.
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