By Uzor Odigbo
The Zonal Coordinator, Zone A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service , Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) Mrs K.C Ekekezie, on Thursday, said the command under southwest rakes in a whooping N5.5 billion revenue daily into the coffers of the federal government.
The coordinator disclosed the figure during a courtesy visit to the headquarters, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Lagos.
The Customs boss adduced the huge collection to increase compliance by freight forwarders and officers and men of the service.
According to her the “role that freight forwarders play in release of goods are part of every government trade policy formulation. Ease of doing business policy started at Apapa Port March this year is working.
“The customs have deployed Internet Technology (IT) to meet the policy target.
“Today there is higher compliance with customs regulations in declarations, we make N5.5bn every day because people are beginning to comply. Customs earnings is part of what is used in paying the security agencies too.
“The compliance level we have seen recently, Customs made under the new regime N1trn. Before it was not up to that. Proper documentation and correct declarations we will achieve higher goals together with you.
“To consolidate on the good work to achieve this, we must adhere to all extent regulations as provided by the government. And this will not be a problem when we put mechanism on place.
“This will lead improved national economic system. We must avoid cutting corners and encourage integrity in all levels of the business.”
Speaking further, Ekekezie maintained that there is a new regime of discipline in the Service which has led to torrent of officers being sacked in recent time.
She said” “In Nigeria Customs today, several officers are finding their ways out each time we go for management meetings. Officers are being de-ranked or dismissed.”
Reacting to complaints from freight forwarders, she stated that artificial delay in cargo clearance from the port would no longer be condoned by the service.
She therefore called on freight forwarders whose cargoes are unnecessarily delayed should report such to the zone for immediate action.
Also speaking , founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam frowned at the recent hike in forex on international trade by the government.
Aniebonam maintained that the service would have called for a stakeholders meeting to explain the reasons behind the hike in dollars.
