The Nigeria Customs Service Enugu /Anambra /Ebonyi Command raised the bar to an unprecedented height in 2024, collecting N50,847,625,597.08.
This figure represents an over 50% increase in Revenue collection compared to the preceding year 2023, with a collection of N27,954,707,493.00, a feat never achieved since the command’s inception.
The Customs Area Controller, Enugu /Anambra / Ebonyi Command, Comptroller Comfort Ukpanah, said: “This outstanding breakthrough was achieved through our deliberate and concerted efforts to align with the three policy guidelines of the comptroller General of customs, viz: Consultation, Innovation, and Consolidation.
“In this regard, the command worked assiduously to create an all-inclusive methodology in our modus Operandi with our stakeholders.”
Consequently, the command leveraged that to galvanize and earn the trust of esteemed stakeholders in adhering strictly to the extant guidelines in terms of trade.
According to Ukpanah, “The command developed a template for monitoring compliance by the stakeholders as well as the commitment levels of our officers and men to ensure that all verified operational gaps are blocked.
“This procedure was also applied to our excise factories and parcel post functions. The command, through intelligence sharing and collaboration, was able to identify excise factories that were hitherto not brought under excise control.
“The command ensured round-the-clock surveillance on activities of such factories, in addition to the existing ones, to ensure that appropriate excise duties were collected. The command clearly understands the risk in not paying attention to parcel posts; hence the rejigged effort.”
Ukpanah further explained that the period under review had its fair share of challenges occasioned by the global economic recession.
She said that the resilience and deep commitment of officers enabled the Command to ensure that identified areas of Revenue leakages were blocked to collect all collectable Revenue.
She stated: “The command is not oblivious of its obligations and role in realising the Revenue target set for the Nigeria Customs service, in view of the fact that Service has a pivotal role in the overall revenue projection for the nation.
“You will recall that just recently, Mr President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR announced a budget of 49.74 trillion as a budget projection for 2025.
“Given this, the command will surely take steps to re-position itself and create fresh operational strategies to ensure that we meet and even surpass the revenue target that will be given to the command in this new year. We have the competence and capacity to achieve that.
“It is also instructive to note that during the year under reference, several activities aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the service and other agencies, including traditional institutions were given priority attention.
“We had the exceptional support of the various security/regulatory agencies where were operated. Also, intelligence sharing was a critical factor that necessitated our giant strides.
“The highlight of the activities was the visit of the National Chairperson of the Customs Officers Wives Association Mrs Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi with her National Excos to the command. The visit allowed the national chairperson to inspect and commission all completed COWA projects in the command, especially the ultra-modern clinic that is serving the health needs of not just our officers but communities proximate to the command.
“ I would like to pay glowing tribute to our indefatigable comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Dss and members of his management for their unflinching support and guidance which provided us with the wherewithal to deliver on our mandate.
“May I assure the CGC that the command will remain a strong link in the value chain in assisting him to realise the huge expectations of Nigerians and Mr. President?
“Let me at this juncture also appreciate the support of the various operators, particularly the compliant traders, while using this medium to advise any operator contemplating non-compliance with the extant guidelines on trade to have a rethink or be ready to force the full wrath of the law.”
