The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has surpassed itself by recording a revenue of one Trillion, one hundred billion naira, barely nine days to the end of the year.
This spectacular performance in revenue collection this year is above the figure for 2016 to the tune of N241, 685, 276, 289.74
At a media parley in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, DC Joseph Attah, said despite the economic recession, with low volume of imports and restriction placed on 41 items from accessing forex, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) undertook some strategic measures which led to the historic revenue figure.
The CGCs innovative measures include the redeployment of officers and men, the retraining of Customs Intelligence Unit, maximising the potentials of automation through monitoring, tracking infractions, blocking and recovering lost revenue; re-invigoration of anti-smuggling operations and setting up a Compliance Team to serve as the third layer of security.
Furthermore, the Service rewarded hard work and punishment for wrong doing, transparent promotion process and sustained stakeholder engagements. Besides, the ruthless pursuit of anti-smuggling activities led to 4, 000 seizures valued at N11 billion. The seizures include 2, 671 pump action rifles, dangerous drugs, rice and vehicles.
According to the PRO, striving to implement the Federal Government’s fiscal policies have often met with resistance from unpatriotic elements who attempt to sabotage such policies leading to fierce and bloody confrontations that lead to officers paying the ultimate price for their fatherland. He said such bloody clashes claimed the lives of six gallant officers during the year.
The CGC further enjoined his officers and men to continue the onslaught on smugglers especially at this festive season.