Not less than N946,084, 600.50 was realized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) within the last seven months. Within the same period, the NCS also seized 172 vehicles, frozen poultry, textile products, vegetable oil and other goods.
Total duty paid value was up to N164, 839,358.80m within the period under review. A breakdown of the seizures showed that the NCS, Ogun Area Command recorded the highest in May with 42, and the lowest in January with only 8 seizures.
Similarly, the area command recorded the highest revenue in the month of June with N54, 024,260.00m while the month of January was the lowest with a paltry N5,379,403.80m only.
A statement signed by the Customs Area Controller, Ogun Area Command, Mr. Y.A. Saka indicated that the amount realized was out of the N1.2bn target the command was given for the year.
“This accounts for about 85 per cent increase of what was generated at the same period under review in 2005. You will agree with me that our performance has been impressive. I can assure you that at the end of the collation of the generated revenue for August 2006, we shall be well over N1bn,” the statement added.
The Customs Area Controller attributed the success recorded so far to what he called the “dedication of my officers.”
who are so relentless in their drive by ensuring that all loopholes that lead to revenue leakages are blocked”.
According to Saka, importers and their agents in the area were also part of the success story of the command, as the level of awareness among them “is very high”.
“There is prompt declaration of clearing documents and correct payment of duty thereby leading to quick clearance of goods. The exercise factories are also supportive as they pay their excise duties as when due”, he said.
He explained that the long list of prohibitions have made the importers to be mindful of what they bring into the country to avoid forfeitures and prosecution.
He also scored the command high on anti-smuggling activities. He however admitted that there were some obstacles, which includes the porosity of the borders, and the notoriety of smugglers in the area which impeded the work of his men in the command.