Meanwhile, the Customs boss has urged officers to rededicate themselves to duty, block all revenue loopholes and ensure maximum revenue is collected in year 2017.
Ali who gave the advice in his New Year message to officers, a copy of which was sighted by SHIPS & PORTS DAILY, assured that officers’ welfare is paramount and efforts are being made to provide the Service with a new welfare package which is commensurate to the Services rendered to the nation.
Ali commended the officers for their effort towards the realization of last year’s revenue collection despite the low volume of import in the country occasioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) foreign exchange policy.
He promised that before the end of year 2017, the Service would be able to actualise the new welfare package.
“One of the statutory responsibilities of the NCS is revenue generation which is mainly collected form imports. Due to low importation as a result of very limited access to foreign exchange and the 41 items still being denied access to forex by the CBN, the NCS was challenged as never before in its revenue generation drive.
“However in spite of all the challenges, the Service has through your efforts and doggedness generated N897.3billion which represents 96 percent of the revenue target for the year.
“This is not a small feat considering all the challenges. On this note, I wish to congratulate each and every one of you for rising to these challenges. We have done well. However, I believe we can do better if we re-dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to our duties, block all leakages and refuse to allow fraudulent traders, agents and the few bag eggs amongst us to defraud the nation we swore to serve.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure that our performance in the year 2017 is far better than 2016. I therefore wish to use this medium to convey to you the appreciation of the NCS management for your dedication to duty.
“I will also like to assure you that your welfare is paramount to us and efforts are being made to provide the Service with a new welfare package which is commensurate to the Services you are rendering to this nation.
“Hopefully, before the end of year 2017, we would be able to actualise the new welfare package. You should however note that the more revenue we generate, the more our cost of collection and the more our cost f collection, the better our welfare package. I therefore call on each and every one of you to make a resolution that henceforth, national interest will super cedes any other interest in the discharge of his duty.
“May God almighty grant all of us good health, strength and wisdom to move the NCS ahead and make it a better Service than we met it,” Ali said.
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