Andrew Utulu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Enugu /Anambra /Ebonyi Command said it has raised the bar of revenue collection and anti-smuggling to an unprecedented height in 2024.
This the Command averred was achieved through the collection of N50,847,625,597.08 .
Comptroller Comfort Ukpanah, Customs Area controller, Enugu /Anambra / Ebonyi Command has disclosed in a statement.
The CAC said this figure represented over 50% increase in revenue collection when compared to that of the preceding year 2023, with the collection of 27,954,707,493.00; a feat ever achieved, since the inception of the command.
She noted that this outstanding breakthrough was achieved through the Command’s deliberate and concerted efforts in alignment with the three policy guidelines of the Comptroller General of Customs, CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi which include but not limited to: Consultation, Innovation and Consolidation.
“In this regard, the command worked assiduously to create an all-inclusive methodology in our modus Operandi with our stakeholders,” she asserted.
Consequently, the Customs boss said that the command leveraged on that to galvanize and earn the trust of their esteemed stakeholders in adhering very strictly to the extant guidelines, in terms of trade.
Additionally,she said the command developed a template for monitoring compliance by the stakeholders as well as with the commitment levels of their officers/men to ensure that all verified operational gaps were blocked.
“This procedure was also applied to our excise factories and parcel post functions. The command, through intelligence sharing and collaboration was able to identify excise factories that were hitherto not brought under excise control.
“The command ensured a round the clock (24hrs) surveillance on activities of such factories, in addition to the existing ones, to ensure that appropriate excise duties were collected. The command clearly understands the risk in not paying attention to parcel posts; hence the rejigged effort.”
Comptroller Ukpanah, explained that the period under review had its fair share of challenges occasioned by the global economic recession.
However, she noted that resilience and deep commitment of her officers and men enabled the Command to ensure that identified areas of revenue leakages were blocked with a view to collecting all collectible revenue.
The command, according to her, was not oblivious of its’ obligations and role in realising the revenue target set for the Nigeria Customs Service, in view of the fact that Service has a pivotal role in the overall revenue projection for the nation.
“You will recall that just recently, Mr. President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR announced a budget of N49.74 trillion as budget projection for 2025. In view of this, the command will surely take steps to re-position itself and create fresh operational strategies to ensure that we meet and even surpass the revenue target that will be given to the command in this new year. We have the competence and capacity to achieve that,” Ukpanah averred, noting, “it is also instructive to note that during the year under reference, several activities aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the service and other agencies, including traditional institutions were given priority attention.
“We had the exceptional support of the various security/regulatory agencies where we operated. Also, intelligence sharing was a critical factor that necessitated our giant strides.”
She gave the highlights of the activities as the visit of the National Chairperson of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, with her National EXCO members to the command, saying the visit afforded the National Chairperson the opportunity to inspect and commission all completed COWA projects in the command, especially the ultra-modern clinic that is serving the health needs of not just our officers but communities proximate to the command.
“On this note, I would like to pay glowing tribute to our indefatigable Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and members of his management team for their unflinching support and guidance which provided the Command with the wherewithal to deliver on mandate.
“May I assure the CGC that the command will remain a strong link in the value chain in assisting him to realise the huge expectations of Nigerians and Mr. President.
“May I also assure the CGC and his management team that the command will remain a strong link in the value chain of his regime in assisting him to realise the huge expectations of our president and Nigerians.
“Let me at this juncture also appreciate the support of the various operators, particular the compliant traders, while using this medium to advise any operator contemplating non-compliance with the extant guidelines on trade to have a rethink or be ready to force the full wrath of the law.”
She said this statement would not be complete without specially recognizing the role “which our media friends have been playing in supporting the Nigeria Customs Service in general and the Command in particular. You have proven overtime to be a very reliable and dependable ally of the Service. I therefore urge you to continue in that light as the task of nation building is a shared responsibility. I salute your exceptional sense of duty and professionalism in all ramifications, we are very proud of you.
“Finally, let me once again reiterate the commitment of the command to up our ante in the new year to enable us meet and even surpass our revenue target for the new year.
“The officers/men of Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Command also deserve special mention for their untiring effort during the period. I believe they will do even better in this new year. We urge all hands to be on deck in this and other regards,” the CAC enthused.
