As Onne, Apapa, Tin Can, Seme, FOU Units Unleash Strategies

By Kelvin Kagbare and Michael Owolabi

“In our unwavering dedication to safeguarding our nation’s prosperity, I stand before you today to reaffirm the Customs Service’s solemn pledge to fortify our country’s food security. We remains steadfast as we navigate the challenges ahead, steadfastly upholding our duty to protect and nourish our beloved homeland”-CGC

To what shall we attribute recent unprecedented Revenue haul by Customs Area Controllers, CACs? Leadership? Technology? Strategy? Commitment? Know How? Intelligence? Or Experience? Could it be a combination of the aforementioned traits?

Without a doubt, the appointment of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been applauded by stakeholders as one of the greatest things to happen to the Service in recent years; rightly so.

The CGC strides in office within a short period attest to his dexterity, knowledge and workings  of the Service inside of which he has spent decades-studying, teaching, training, heading delegations and under taking numerous on-field assessments.

In November last year, CGC Adeniyi, held a reunion meeting with retired officers of the Service in an epoch making event in Abuja.

The CGC flanked by former Service Chiefs at the reunion

“Today marks a momentous occasion as we come together for the first-ever reunion of Customs’ seasoned leaders. I am confident that with your continued support and guidance, we will overcome challenges and achieve greater heights.” The CGC said at the event.

Could the unprecedented revenue announced be a fall out from that well thought out reunion? Could it be fruits of the work-life balance initiative by the CGC?

Last month, the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service, announced on February 23, 2024, that it recorded a revenue collection milestone of N16,021,660,412.00 (Sixteen billion, twenty-one million, six hundred and sixty thousand, four hundred and twelve naira) in one day.

The ovation, comments and reactions had hardly abated when, boom, the Nigeria Customs Service, Area II Command, Onne Port, in Rivers State released a statement that it has recorded an unprecedented, historical milestone in the area of revenue generation declaring  “An overwhelming daily revenue collection of twenty two billion, one hundred and eighty four million, eight hundred and ninety nine thousand, five hundred and eight naira (₦22,184,899,508.00) in a single day!

This is even as the Tin Can Command of the Service announced that it recorded N100b monthly revenue in February surpassing its N94b monthly target.

According to the CAC of the Tin Can Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, mni, the Command has a revenue target of N1.130trillion for the 2024 fiscal year.

“The implication of our 2024 revenue projection is that we are expected to collect N94.23b on a monthly basis, N21.7billion weekly and N4.32billion daily. This is no mean task, but it is surmountable” the CAC said.

At the Seme Border Command where Comptroller Timi Bomodi is in charge as CAC, there has been an uncommon upbeat in operational actions/activities as it processed a total of 65 metric tons export cargoes and generated over N1.1 billion within two months.

The command said in its fight against anti-smuggling activities, it also made a total of 168 seizures between January and February of 2024 with 13 suspects arrested in connection with the smuggled items.

The Seme Command disclosed that “Between January and February 2024, the command successfully made 168 interventions which resulted in the seizure of 2,193 bags of 50kg (3 trailer load equivalent) foreign parboiled rice, 81,930 litres (3 tankers equivalent), 9 vehicles, 1425 general merchandise, 265 parcels of cannabis sativa and other narcotics, 149 packets of codeine and 2 locally manufactured guns; all with a combined duty paid value of N365,888,696″ the CAC told newsmen recently

Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, headed by Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu has been relentless in the onslaught against smugglers. In February 2024, Ejibunu said a total of 93 seizures were made, while nine suspects were arrested for various offences.

“The seizures made are worth a total duty paid value of N751.1m. We also prevented the smuggling of eleven exotic used vehicles worth over N200 million into the country through our area of responsibility. Smugglers of these vehicles met our stiff resistance against their duty evasion and deviant behaviour. The sum of N78.1million was recovered as revenue into the federation account through the issuance of demand notices on Customs duties that were discovered to be underpaid. A total of 3,779 units of 50kg bags of suspected foreign rice equivalent to over seven trailer loads worth over N365 million were seized from various parts of the South West” Ejibunu said.

From the Eastern region, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, Owerri, said it recovered N5.5 billion from smugglers and fraudulent importers.

Comptroller Kayode Kolade who leads operations in Zone C said the Unit intercepted contraband worth over N5.35 billion from smugglers and N152 million from importers who made under-declaration at seaports.

From kebbi to Zamfara, Katsina and the Kano/Kaduna axis, efforts by officers and men of the Service to facilitate trade, extinguish smugglers and generate revenue reverberates-pointing to the exemplary leadership which the CGC has brought to bear on the Service.

“Our chosen policy thrust seamlessly aligns with the overarching vision for the Nigeria Customs Service-to become the most efficient and service-driven government organ, with a relentless focus on revenue growth and border security. By consolidating our strengths, collaborating effectively, and fostering innovation, we are not only fulfilling our vision but also setting the standard for excellence in government service” the CGC reiterates.

Could the bridge building efforts and the strategic alliances/collaborations moves by the CGC yielding fruits already?

As it is, brighter days are ahead for the Service as its gallant officers and men, assured of better accommodations, welfare packages and working tools unleash their skills and professional expertise in the discharge of their duties.