The Niger/Kwara/Kogi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs said it has generated the sum of N1, 138,110,206.29 (One billion one hundred and thirty eight million one hundred and ten thousand two hundred and six naira twenty nine kobo) representing 37.2per cent of the annual target in the first quarter of 2019.
Making this disclosure to The Point recently, the Public Relations Officer of the Customs Area Command, Benjamen Lomba, said in the corresponding period under review (last year), a total of N534, 952,901.95 (Five hundred and thirty four million nine hundred fifty two thousand nine hundred and one naira, ninety five Kobo) was generated as revenue.
This, he said, shows an increase of N603,157,304.34 (Six hundred and three million one hundred and fifty seven naira three hundred and four naira thirty four kobo).
“For the month of April, the Command generated the sum of N323,354,642.43
(Three hundred and twenty three million three hundred and fifty four thousand six hundred and forty two naira forty three kobo), exceeding the monthly target by N69, 046,333.72 (Sixty nine million forty six thousand three hundred and thirty three naira seventy two kobo),” he said.
Lomba said the Command generates revenue from Excise Duty and also established synergy that would overhaul operational methodology which was embraced by the stakeholders.
He added that the Customs area Controller, Compt. Abba-Kassim Yusuf, attributed the success to the support received from the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali Ibrahim (rtd), saying that the Command would surpass the 2019 revenue target.
He said that with 37.2per cent of annual target already generated in four months, the Command has eight months to generate 62.8 per cent.
He noted, “Considering the critical role the media plays in our society towards ensuring that no stone is left unturned against smuggling of prohibited goods into the country through the Command’s land borders, the Customs Area Controller, Compt Abba-Kassim Yusuf, has taken the campaign against smuggling to the doorsteps of all the broadcast media houses within the states where the Command headquarters is located.
He stressed that the Command was determined to do its best until all forms of smuggling activities in the Command is completely wiped out or reduced to the barest level.
He tasked the media to intensify collaboration with the Customs for the success of the renewed fight against smuggling and for citizens to engage in lawful and productive ventures for economic prosperity.