The Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command said it has generated N1.696B in its first quarter 2020.
The Public Relations Officer, For Customs Area Controller, Chado Zakari, disclosed this in a statement in Ilorin on Wednesday.
He said the Command was uncompromising on its mandate of enforcing legitimate trade and trade facilitation among local Industries.
This resolve of the Service, noted, encouraged stakeholders to make prompt payment of import and excise duties to the federation account and led the Command to realize increased revenue profile, despite the lull in economic activities, occasioned by Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic
Zakari also said: “The Kwara area Command under the leadership of Compt. Ahmed Hussaini Bello, at the end of first quarter of 2020, generated N 1, 696,018,694.74
” The amount represents 21 per cent of the Command’s annual target of Eight Billion Thirty Eight Million Naira (N8, 038,000.000)
“Below is the breakdown of the Revenue Generated on Monthly Basis-
S/NO MONTHS AMOUNT GENERATED
N
1 JANUARY 1,006,901,647.42
2 FEBRUARY 332,272,223.68
3 MARCH 356,844,823.64
TOTAL 1, 696,018,694.74
“This brings the total amount of revenue generated by the Command since, its creation,to Four Billion One Hundred Million Three Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Seven Naira Twenty Two Kobo (N4, 100, 336, 737.22)
“Compt. Ahmed is also vigorously pursuing the Comptroller General of Customs Zero tolerance for duty evasion and smuggling.
“He has been reviving proficiency with regards to identifying and blocking all possible avenues of revenue leakages, enhancing capacity building in the areas of modern Customs Operation.
He is reinforcing the commitment of officers and men in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities and ensuring that disciplinary actions are taken on any erring officer.
“Compt. Ahmed declared that seizures were successfully accomplished as a result of the renewed determination of the Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) to rid the country of all forms of illegal importation.”
He stated that there would be continued sensitisation for stakeholders on the need to comply with extant laws governing Customs and Excise activities.
“ANTI-SMUGGLING
Within the period under review, the Command has also recorded Fifty Four (54) seizures with duty paid Value (DPV) of Two Hundred and Eighty Two Million One Hundred Ninety Eight Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Two Naira (N 282,198,292.00)
• 21 units of vehicles of various types
• 1, 159 Bags of foreign Par Boiled Rice (50kg each)
• 737 Jerry Cans of Petroleum Product
• 20 Jerry Cans of Vegetable (25 liters each)
• 48 Sacks of 3,593Kg of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana)
• 3 different seizures of Narcotics
• 9 Used Pneumatics Tyres
“To this end, the Customs Area Controller would like to send a note of warning to economic saboteurs to steer clear of Kwara area Command and engage in meaningful ventures or else they will meet their waterloo.
“Col. Hammed Ali’s implementation of three pronged Presidential mandate of Restructure, Reform and Revenue in NCS has continued to strengthen the Service as a crucial contributor to National economy and Security.
“These positive harvests in the areas of anti-smuggling and Revenue generation are a clear testimony of what can be achieved under a selflessly focused leadership.
“The Controller therefore calls on Nigerians to support the Command by providing credible information that will help nip smuggling at the bud and generate needed revenue for national development.
“Officers are properly trained and motivated to carry out their official duties without fear or favor. He urged officers to shun bribery and corruption or they will be shown the way out.”