Customs Vows To Tighten Noose On Importers Of Rice, Vehicles In 2017    

The Nigeria Customs Service has said that it would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all revenues are collected and to ensure that vehicles, rice and other banned items are not imported into the country through the land borders.
Newly-appointed Zonal Coordinator Zone 'A' of Customs, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Monday Abueh gave the threats last week while taking over from his predecessor; Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Charles Edike in Lagos.
He assured that there is enough local rice in circulation in Nigeria, urging Nigerians to adjust their tastes to eating local rice. He also assured that the zone would address proliferation of small arms and importation of ammunitions through the ports.
"Apart from revenue generation, security issues would be pursued vigorously. We have a huge challenge at our hands presently because the new law and government regulation says that there won't be importation of cars through the land borders"
"I was reading this morning where thousands of cars are trapped at the borders, we have a duty to make sure that not even a single one of them will enter this country through land borders, and when they do so, we would police them to their final destination, so it's a huge task on both vehicles and the rice"
"We are beginning to have enough local rice in the country and people should adjust their taste and consume what is available in Nigeria, the same applies to other traded articles"
Speaking earlier, the outgoing Zonal Coordinator appreciated government agencies such as:  Shippers Council, NIMASA, Terminal Operators, APMT, Police, NAFDAC, SON and others that have partnered with him at the zone to realise the revenue.
He solicited the support of stakeholders and press men for the new ACG for him to also surpass the records that have been set.
"From when I got posted from Apapa last year 2015 till now, the zone raised N0.662 trillion, and as a Controller at PTML, Tin Can Island Port, Airport, Apapa, and also as Controller Joint Task Force on Customs, ICPC and EFCC, a total of N1.607 trillion was raised between me and my colleagues"
"I want to appreciate God for the opportunity to serve in all of these commands and also as the zonal coordinator of this zone"
"The zone 'A' comprises of all commands under the south-west zone of Nigeria. Under my supervision, we were able to generate N1.607 trillion into Federal Governments coffers" he said.