The Tin can Island Port command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it collected a total of N237.3billion revenue into the federal government coffers between January and October 2017.
In a statement on Monday, Public Relations Officer of the command, Uche Ejesieme, said the figure is against the sum of N207.9billion collected in the corresponding period of 2016.
Controller of the command, Comptroller Bashar Yusuf, while speaking on the achievements of the command, said it has been re-positioned for greater functionality. He said that the command had developed operational templates that were carefully articulated to encompass adherence to due diligence on the part of the stakeholders and entrenchment of professionalism and integrity on the psyche of the officers.
He also pointed out that the command relied mostly on capacity building, training and re-training to extract reasonable level of professional integrity from the officers which ultimately led to the increase in revenue collection.
“You will recall that the command alone has recorded three different seizures of cache of arms and has recently seized two container-load of suspected controlled drugs (Tramadol) falsely declared as used vehicle and computer accessories,” he said.
The Controller expressed confidence that the command has undoubtedly diminished the capacity of unpatriotic importers through several measures aimed at nipping such issues in the bud noting that the seizures were made through high profile intelligence using ICT as a major tool.
“Our new strategic focus has strengthen not only statutory responsibility of revenue generation but also safety of lives by decimating the tendency of unscrupulous importers who bring in unwholesome drugs, particularly Tramadol, which consumption would naturally have a consequential effect on our large population of youth, thereby ultimately affecting their educational pursuits and socio-economic well-being amongst other negative effects.
“Just recently our President was in Turkey with the Comptroller General of Customs alongside other top government functionaries on a diplomatic visit and the issue of arms was discussed after which a memorandum of understanding was signed with a view to ensure that such illicit imports are curtailed,” he said.
Speaking further, the Controller applauded the improved compliant of its stakeholders and urged them to maintain the path.
On his plans for the ’ember months,’ Comptroller Bashir re-assured that no stone would be left unturned in his efforts to ensure a sustained increase in revenue generation and facilitation of legitimate trade.
He said: “It is instructive to note that the Nigeria Customs Service is putting measures in place to curb the influx of arms which is why the Service recently unveiled plans to introduce the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme, a platform that will enhance the streamlining of cargo clearance.”