The Enugu /Anambra /Ebonyi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has raised the bar to an unprecedented height in 2024, with the collection of 50,847,625,597.08 revenue.
This figure represents over 50 per cent increase when compared to the 27,954,707,493.00 collected in 2023, a feat ever achieved, since the inception of the command.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Comfort Ukpanah made this known during a press briefing to give a scorecard of the Command’s activities for the year under review.
According to her, the outstanding breakthrough was achieved through deliberate and concerted efforts at alignment with the three policy guidelines of the Comptroller General of Customs viz: Consultation, Innovation and Consolidation.
She explained that the command worked assiduously to create an all-inclusive methodology in its Modus Operandi with stakeholders.
The CAC noted that the Command leveraged on these procedures to galvanise and earn the trust of esteemed stakeholders in adhering strictly to the extant guidelines in terms of trade.
Ukpanah disclosed that the Command also developed a template for monitoring compliance by the stakeholders as well as with the commitment levels of officers/men to ensure that all verified operational gaps are blocked.
While noting that the period under review had its fair share of challenges occasioned by the global economic recession, she said the resilience and deep commitment of our officers/men of the command ensured that identified areas of revenue leakages were blocked.
She added: “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 was 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.
“The command is 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 49.74 trillion as budget projection for 2025”.
Speaking further, the CAC said the command will take steps to re-position itself and create fresh operational strategies to ensure it surpasses the revenue target that will be given to the command in 2025, adding that it has the competence and capacity to achieve that.
She revealed that several activities aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the service and other agencies, including traditional institutions was given a priority attention.
“We had the exceptional support of the various security/regulatory agencies where were operated. Also, intelligence sharing was a critical factor that necessitated our giant strides.
“The highlight of the activities was the visit of the National chairperson of the Customs officers Wives Association Mrs. Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi with her National Excos to the command.
“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”.
Ukpanah thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi and his Management team for their support and guidance which provided the command with the wherewithal to deliver on its mandate.
She assured 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 the President.
“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 face the full wrath of the law.
‘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 reiterated the commitment of the command to up the ante in the new year to enable it meet and even surpass its revenue target for the new year.
