Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Niger/Kwara/Kogi Command said it generated the sum of One Billion One Hundred and Thirty Eight Million One Hundred and Ten Thousand Two Hundred and Six Naira Twenty Nine Kobo (N1, 138,110,206.29) between January and April this year.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr Benjamin Lomba Lomba said that the money generated by the command for the federal government of Nigeria within the first four months in 2019, represents 37.2 per cent of the annual target of the command.
Lomba who added that the command led by Mr. Abba-Kassim Yusuf made eighteen seizures which included used vehicles, second hand clothing, foreign rice among others in April remarked that the command generated the sum of Three Hundred and Twenty Three Million Three Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand Six Hundred Forty Two Naira Forty Three Kobo (N323,354,642.43) in April.
He said, “Our records shows that within the first four months of the year, the Command has generated One Billion One Hundred and Thirty Eight Million One Hundred and Ten Thousand Two Hundred and Six Naira Twenty Nine Kobo (N1, 138,110,206.29) which represent 37.2% of the annual target.
For the month of April, the Command said it generated Three Hundred and Twenty Three Million Three Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand Six Hundred Forty Two Naira Forty Three Kobo (N323,354,642.43) exceeding the monthly target with Sixty Nine Million Forty Six thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Three Naira Seventy Two Kobo (N69, 046,333.72).
“The effort put in place by Niger/Kwara/Kogi Customs area Controller, Compt. Abba-Kassim Yusuf to realize the mandate of the Comptroller General of Customs is yielding positive result, as the rate of smuggling of prohibited goods through the Command territory has reduced to the barest minimum which resulted to increase in the revenue generated for the first four month of the year 2019”, Lomba explained that sum of Three Billion Fifty One Million Six Hundred and Ninety Nine Thousand Seven Hundred and Four Naira Fifty One Kobo (N3,051,699,704.51) and Two Hundred and Fifty four Million Three Hundred and Eight Thousand Three Hundred and Eight Naira Seventy One kobo (N254, 308,308.71) respectively is the annual and monthly target allocated to the Command.
The Command, in the first four months of 2018, generated the total amount of Five Hundred and thirty Four Million, Nine Hundred Fifty two Thousand Nine Hundred and One Naira ninety five Kobo (N534, 952,901.95) was collected as revenue with shows an increase of Six Hundred and three Million, One Hundred and Fifty Seven thousand, three Hundred and Four Naira, Thirty Four Kobo (N603,157,304.34).
“Until there is a total Compliance that will translate to effective revenue generation, Suppression of Smuggling, Facilitation of legitimate trade and protecting our national security, officers and men will not rest on its oars.
“Command revitalized anti-smuggling operation yielded a positive end result with a total of Eighteen (18) Seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Twenty One Million One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Two Hundred Naira (N21, 120,200) from January to April 2019.
“These items seized include used vehicles, Second hand clothing, Foreign Rice and other uncustomed goods.
Lomba while speaking further maintained that the Controller of the command attributed success recorded to the strategic policies put in place by the Controller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd).
“Having considered the critical role the media plays in our society, to all our critical stakeholders and to also synergise with other agencies towards ensuring that no stone is left unturned against all forms of smuggling of prohibited goods into the Country through the Command land borders, the Customs Area Controller, Compt Abba-Kassim Yusuf has taken the campaign against Smuggling to the door steps of all the Broadcast media houses within the State where the Command Headquarters is located.
“The Customs Area Controller paid a courtesy visit to about six (6) Broadcast media outreach in Minna, Niger State Capital. Amongst the notable media houses are NTA, NSTV, Radio Niger, Prestige FM and two Campus FM Stations of Higher Institutions in Niger State.
“During his visit to Search FM Federal University of Technology, Minna and the College of Education Ultimate FM Station, the Customs Area Controller met with the Management of both FM stations (the Vice Chancellor FUT Minna, Prof. Abdullahi Bala and the Registrar COE Minna, Alh. Yabagi Alfa).
“The Comptroller said together we can protect the Niger State Economy and the country at large by joining hands with the media and the Service to educate and enlighten the students, youths and the general public about the dangers involved in smuggling of goods into the country.
“The Comptroller declared that the Command is determined to continue to do its best until all forms of smuggling activities into the Command is completely wipe out or reduced to the barest level and this can be achieved through collaboration with the media.
He therefore tasked all the media houses to intensify campaign against smuggling and inform those involved in sabotaging the effort of the Government in encouraging Home-grown Rice to desist from such activities which destructs the country’s economy while urging them to engage in meaningful ventures.
