The Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has achieved a remarkable milestone, setting an unprecedented revenue record for 2024. The command collected a total of ₦50,847,625,597.08, marking an impressive over 50% increase compared to the previous year’s collection of ₦27,954,707,493.00.
Comptroller Comfort Ukpanah, the Customs Area Controller for the command, attributed this extraordinary success to a focused strategy centered around the three key policy guidelines of the Comptroller-General of Customs: Consultation, Innovation, and Consolidation.
“We raised the bar in 2024, not just by increasing revenue, but by fostering stronger collaborations with our stakeholders and ensuring strict adherence to trade guidelines,” Ukpanah stated. “Our efforts were intentional, and we created an inclusive approach to our operations, earning the trust of our partners and ensuring that compliance levels were consistently high.”
One of the standout factors in this achievement was the command’s proactive approach to monitoring compliance, particularly in excise factories and parcel post functions. Through diligent intelligence sharing and round-the-clock surveillance, the command identified excise factories previously outside of excise control and ensured they contributed their due duties.
Despite the global economic challenges of 2024, the command’s resilience played a key role in closing revenue leakages. Ukpanah emphasized the commitment of the officers and men of the command to meet revenue targets, noting that the Nigeria Customs Service has a pivotal role in national revenue generation.
In addition to revenue collection, the command said it also prioritised strengthening relationships with other agencies and traditional institutions.
She commended the support of security and regulatory bodies, particularly highlighting the role of intelligence sharing in their success.
She said a major highlight of the year was the visit of Mrs. Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, the National Chairperson of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) to commission several projects, including an ultra-modern clinic that serves both officers and local communities.
Ukpanah took the opportunity to express her gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his steadfast support, acknowledging his role in enabling the command to fulfill its mandate.
“I assure the CGC that we will remain a strong link in the value chain and continue to contribute to achieving the high expectations of President Tinubu and the Nigerian people,” she stated.
She also called on non-compliant traders to adhere to customs regulations, warning that the full weight of the law would be enforced on violators.
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