1st QUARTER: Kwara Customs Command Rakes – In N1.696b

The Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command said it collected a whooping N1.696billion in the first quarter of 2020.

Public Relations Officer of the command ,Chado Zakari, disclosed this in a statement made available to Dailyfocus Nigeria on Tuesday.

The PRO quoted the Area Command Controller, Comptroller Ahmed Hussaini Bello ,saying despite the lull due to the Coronavirus pandemic, at the end of first quarter 2020, it generated the aforementioned sum which represent 21% of the command’s annual target of N8, 038,000.000.

Comptroller Ahmed said the command is vigorously pursuing the Comptroller General of Customs zero tolerance for duty evasion and smuggling.

He said this has been reviving proficiency with regards to identifying and blocking all possible avenues of revenue leakages, enhancing capacity building in the areas of modern Customs Operation, reinforcing the commitment of officers and men in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities and ensuring disciplinary actions are taken on any erring officer found compromising.

Comptroller Ahmed declared that seizures were successfully accomplished as a result of the renewed determination of the Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) to rid the country of all forms of illegal importation.

He stated that there will be continues sensitization for stakeholders on the need to comply with extant laws governing Customs and Excise activities.

While harping on the anti – smuggling drive of the command, he noted that “Within the period under review, the Command has also recorded Fifty Four (54) seizures with duty paid Value (DPV) of N 282,198,292.00.

Giving a breakdown of the revenue drive of the command in the last three months, the spokesman noted that in January ,a whooping N1,006,901,647.42 was collected .

According to him, N332,272,223.68 was collected in February while in March it collected N356,844,823.64 totalling N1, 696,018,694.74.

He said the figure collected brings the total amount of revenue generated by the command since its creation to N4, 100, 336, 737.22.

He added that “The command’s uncompromising on its mandate of enforcing legitimate trade and trade facilitation among local Industries, has encouraged stakeholders to make prompt payment of import and excise duties to the federation account.

“It has also led the command to the realization of increasing its revenue profile.

Meanwhile, 21 units of vehicles of various types, 1, 159 Bags of foreign Par Boiled Rice (50kg each), 737 Jerry Cans of Petroleum Product and 20 Jerry Cans of Vegetable (25 liters each), were intercepted under the period under review.

Others are 48 Sacks of 3,593Kg of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), 3 different seizures of Narcotics, and 9 Used Pneumatics Tyres

To this end, the Customs Area Controller warned economic saboteurs to steer clear of Kwara area Command and engage in meaningful ventures or else they will meet their waterloo.

The controller therefore called on Nigerians to support the command by providing credible information that will help nip smuggling at the bud and generate needed revenue for national development.

“Officers are properly trained and motivated to carry out their official duties without fear or favor. ”
He urged officers to shun bribery and corruption or they will be shown the way out.