Customs surpasses revenue target, makes landmark seizures
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A total N2.3 trillion revenue has been remitted to the treasury in 2021 by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), N621 billion above the target set at N1.679 trillion at the beginning of the year – with a week to spare.
Year “2021 has been eventful for NCS, as it achieves major milestones, in spite of the debilitating effect of COVID-19, which has had negative effects on the socio-economic lives of people around the globe,” Timi Bomodi, NCS Deputy National Public Relations Officer, disclosed in Lagos.
“The year began with high expectations with regards to revenue generation and the enforcement of fiscal policy and based on 2020 target achieved was given the onerous task of collecting N1.679 trillion.
“In the current year, the NCS has already exceeded expectations in revenue generation by going beyond the target set for it by the government, achieving N2.3 trillion.”
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Landmark seizures
The NCS also made landmark seizures of prohibited items and items prohibited by trade, Bomodi said, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“In August, the service made seizures of 17,137 kg of pangolin scales, 44 kg elephant tusks and 60 kg in pangolin claws all valued at over N22 billion.
“This was made possible through active collaboration between NCS, U.S, UK, and German officials who helped in tracking the suspicious shipment and led to the arrest and prosecution of some foreign nationals and their local collaborators.
“In October, FOU operatives in zone A seized 751 bullets concealed in garri sacks, while arms, ammunition and military uniforms were intercepted at Tin Can Port Lagos in September just to mention a few.
“Our warehouses in all border formations are overflowing with seizures of rice, groundnut oil, used clothing, used vehicles and others.”
Bomodi disclosed that Apapa Area 1 Command, through collaboration with sister agencies and the Navy, seized cocaine worth $54 million.
He said arrests and seizures are daily features in the activities of Customs officers nationwide, which underscore the fact they operate in a highly non-compliant environment.
According to him, the NCS is looking forward to a work environment where respect for principles and international trade practices are the watchwords.
“We hope in 2022 importers, exporters and their agents will comply willingly and take full advantage of the opportunities NCS offers for expedited clearance.”
Bomodi said the NCS has integrated and automated over 90 per cent of its activities to enhance trade facilitation, stressing that the e-customs project taking off in 2022 will provide end-to-end automation to eliminate physical contact.
Compliance with regulation
NCS Apapa Command Comptroller Malanta Yusuf explained that trade facilitation cannot be harnessed and enjoyed without compliance by traders.
He said trade facilitation requires harmonisation, standardisation, modernidation, and automation of trade procedures in the supply chain by deploying minimal resources to get great output.
“NCS has deployed tools to ensure that trade is being facilitated for people to carry out their goods on time without it accumulating demurrage, deploy scanners to ensure the use of selectivity in the inspection of containers,” he disclosed.
Yusuf said traders must declare the actual cargo carried, as well as the duty, quantity, and value.
“You cannot hide under trade facilitation and conceal things in the container. NCS will not facilitate such trade.”
