The Customs command under the Service’s Zone ‘A’, collectively garnered about N2Trillion into the federation account in 2022.
The figures were reeled-out by the Zonal Coordinator of the zone, Assistant Comptroller-General, Okun Festus when he received the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi at the zonal headquarters on Monday.
In his brief to the Ag. CG of Customs, the Zonal Coordinator, said the Zone accounted for the about 80% of the total revenue collected by the service last year.
He told the Customs boss that: “In the year 2022, the Zone generated total revenue of about Two Trillion, one Hundred and five billion, Three Hundred and Sixty Five Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty one Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira (N2,105,365,831,997) only”.
According to him, “this translates to Eighty percent of a total Revenue of Two Trillion, Six Hundred and Forty one Billion, Six Hundred and Sixteen Million, Five Hundred and Forty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety Four Naira, Eighty Three Kobo (N2,641,616,545,494.83)only generated for the period”
Speaking further about the Zone’s prowess in revenue collection, Okun told the Customs CG that for the first six months of the current year, the Zone has already collected N939,624,106,351.
According to him, the figure represents about 78% of the total revenue of about N1,205,111,587,799.33 that have been so far collected by the Service.
The Acting CG, in his response, thanked the Zonal Coordinator for the warm hospitality towards him and his team while stating that, he has no doubt in the ACG’s capabilities, going by his track records over the years.
He however gave hope that the zonal headquarters would be relocate to a more befitting location.
“After staying in this location for about 48 years, perhaps it is time to relocate this structure to a more befitting one and build a modern Zonal Office. We want to bring back the power of the Zone. We need a zone that is effective, well-designed, well located and can handle the new responsibilities that will be put on them. We assure all stakeholders that the movement and relocation will not affect service delivery.” CGC reiterated.”
Speaking further, Adewale said, proactive measures have been taken to strengthen the structure and it will be adequately positioned as a team will be set up to look at the current mandate of the Zonal Office and everything done previously that has been shifted to the Commands or Headquarters, will be reinstalled.
On the new Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 which has the enabling legal backing for Customs activities, the Acting CG, said a sensitization workshop will be organised for all cadre, as the management team has duly undergone a retreat recently.
“All Officers and Men must have a good understanding of the new Act, a closer look into the provision of the laws, shows that it gives us the power to deal with issues related to international trade, and customs clearance, but because the spirit of the laws is user and business-friendly, we will need a good knowledge to conduct ourselves as officers, starting from the management level to Customs Area Controllers and other ranks”.
“On Officer’s welfare, the Customs boss noted that top priority will be given to it and some significant progress in the last ten years, will be consolidated.
“There are some gaps in the area of the insurance of officers which will be bridged; we will look at how our insurance will henceforth, work for us and not for the broker, providing the service”,he said
