Despite the deteriorated access road leading in and out of the Tin Can Island port in Apapa, the Nigeria Customs Service at Tin Can said it collected N237,265,538,567.88 between January and October , 2017. This is against the N207billion it collected within the same period in 2016
This is even as the command has vowed that in the ‘ember months’, no stone would be left unturned in the efforts to ensure a sustained increase in its revenue generation.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the Command within the 10 months, intercepted three containers with cache of arms, with another recent seizure of two container loads of controlled drugs (Tramadol) falsely declared as used vehicle and computer accessories.
In a statement released by the public relations officer of the command; Uche Ejesieme yesterday, the Customs Area Controller, Bashir Yusuf said the command was able to collect so much revenue because of its newly-developed operational templates which were carefully articulated to encompass adherence to due diligence on the part of the stakeholders and entrenchment of professionalism and integrity on the psyche of the officers.
He also pointed out that the Command relied mostly on capacity building, training and re-training to extract reasonable level of professional integrity from the officers which ultimately led to the increase in Revenue Collection.
The controller stressed that the Command has diminished the capacity of unpatriotic importers through several measures aimed at nipping such issues in the bud.
He declared that seizures were made through high profile intelligence using ICT as a major tool.
“Our new strategic focus has strengthen not only statutory responsibility of Revenue Generation but also safety of lives by decimating the tendency of unscrupulous importers who bring in unwholesome drugs, particularly Tramadol which consumption would naturally have a consequential effect on our large population of youth, thereby ultimately affecting their educational pursuits and socio-economic wellbeing amongst other negative effects"
"Just recently our President was in Turkey with the Comptroller General of Customs alongside other top government functionaries on a diplomatic visit and the issue of arms were discussed after which a memorandum of understanding was signed with a view to ensure that such illicit imports are curtailed"
Speaking further, the Controller applauded the improved compliance level of her stakeholders and urged them to maintain the path.
In the same vein, he expressed appreciation for the support of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) and his Management and promised to re-double his efforts at this time of the year when business activities are expected to be on the increase.
Yusuf commended the CGC for the promotion of five officers in Tincan Port found worthy in the recent arms seizures, noting that it will naturally spur others to greater efficiency.
“It is instructive to note that the Nigeria Customs Service is putting measures in place to curb the influx of arms which is why the Service recently unveiled plans to introduce the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme, a platform that will enhance the streamlining of cargo clearance”.
He stated that AEO is a programme introduced by the World Customs Organization to facilitate trade with security situation associated with the Import and Export businesses across international borders.
The Controller stated that the Command have leveraged on the change ideology of the CGC by ensuring that all loopholes for revenue leakages are blocked, while also applying sanctions for false and under declarations.
He reiterated his position on compliant declarants and promised that every reasonable support would be extended to such category of traders by way of expeditious access to cargo clearance in line with global best practices.
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