WorldStage Newsonline– The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected N1.172 trillion in revenues from Apapa Port in 2023 while the Seme Area Command, Lagos said it generated a sum of N5.94 billion.
Area Controller of the NCS at the ports, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, made the declaration on Wednesday in Lagos during the decoration of newly-promoted officers and men of the command.
He noted that the officers decorated on Wednesday contributed immensely to attaining the revenue collection.
“When I assumed duty in September 2023, I discovered that we were far from realising our revenue collection target; so we thought out strategies on the way forward.
“We embarked on daily strategic meetings and these officers who were part of the team as terminal or sectional heads pushed to ensure we met the target.
“That is why we are honouring them today,’’ he said.
Jaiyeoba appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGS), Mr Adewale Adeniyi for his interest in the welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He noted that when Adeniyi became head of the NCS in June 2023, he promised that its officers and men would get their promotions when due and the promise was kept.
“Today, I am expressing my gratitude to the CGC for this and also commend officers and men of the service, especially those of Apapa Command for their contributions to the service.
“Promotion does not come from anybody but from God and from hard work in active service; promotion means more work, so more is required of you,’’ he told the promoted officers.
Jaiyeoba enjoined those not promoted not to despair, but to be more dedicated to their jobs as there was always another chance for promotion.
“With this promotion, more is expected from us in terms of revenue collection because soon, revenue target will be issued and we should understand that the target will increase,’’ he said.
In his goodwill message, Mr Nasiru Ibrahim, Director, Department of State Security, Apapa Command, said the Customs Service had done well by beginning the year with the promotion of officers.
He said the promotion indicated that a lot of good tidings would come the way of the Customs Service in 2024.
“Promotion in the Customs Service comes with revenue collection target and the promoted officers need to be loyal, focused and dedicated to their duties.
“The service has a CGC that connects with all stakeholders, therefore, all officers should connect with stakeholders for the service to grow further,’’ he said.
A clearing agent who graced the occasion, Mr Akeem Olanrewaju charged customs officers on attitudinal change, stressing that attitude mattered in their official and private engagements.
“Customs officers have the right to do their job, but they should do it with decorum.
“If they are holding a customer’s cargo, explanations should be given on why the cargo is held so that there will not be any issue,’’ he said.
A total of 74 officers were promoted at the Apapa Command on Wednesday.
SEME AREA
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, Lagos, on Wednesday said it generated a sum of N5.94 billion in 2023.
Timi Bomodi, Comptroller Seme Command, disclosed this to newsmen during the decorations of newly promoted customs officers in the command.
According to Bomodi, the command’s revenue target for year 2023 was N1, 966,000,000 only.
“As of Dec.31, 2023, the command collected N5, 946,174,1 56:62 only.
“The above figure surpasses the set target for the Command by N3,980,174,156:62 only, which represents a 297 per cent addition.
“The 2023 revenue figures collected when compared to the corresponding period of the year 2022, it exceeded the N1,409,498,950.08 only collected by N4,536,675,206.54 only, representing a 322 per cent increase.
“The 2023 revenue collection was the highest collection since 2019.
“This reinforces our commitment to ensure that the Lagos-Abidjan corridor is perceived more as a trade enabler with huge potentials for our best at ensuring that the Command achieves its full potential of trade facilitation exponential growth.
“We will continue to do without hindrance,” he said.
In the area of anti-smuggling operations, he said that the command made a total of 513 interceptions valued at N1,374,245,832.00.
“This includes 14,181 bags of rice which is equivalent to 24 trailers; 1,220,130 litres of petrol which is equivalent to 37 tankers load.
“29 smuggled vehicles; 8,278 drugs and narcotics and 9,639 packets of general merchandise.
“The command also apprehended 37 suspects in connection with different seizures during the period under review,” he said.
He said the successes recorded by the command in the preceding year could be attributed to the incentives and motivation given to the officers and men of the command by the management of the NCS.
“The command will continue to sustain tempo in the fight against all illicit trade within the nooks and crannies of the command.
“Given the encouragement and support we have received from the Comptroller General of Customs and the entire Management of the Service, we will not only maintain the tempo but work towards meeting what-ever target that will be set for us in the current year,” he said.
Bomodi urged the newly promoted 34 officers to see their elevation as additional responsibilities and appealed to them to put in their best to the service by adding value.
“For those that are not promoted, it does not mean the newly promoted officers are better than you. Promotion comes from God.
“Almighty chooses those he wants to elevate. If you don’t get it today, it does not mean that you won’t get tomorrow,” he said.
