Ogun Customs rakes in N1.2b in 5 months
By Godfrey Bivbere
Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has raked in N1,274,856,458.08 between January and May this year. Presenting the revenue profile to journalists in his office, the Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge of the command, Deputy Comptroller Richard Oteri revealed that the revenue of the command shot up following the management’s innovation to work closely with the traditional rulers especially in the area of making smugglers to pay duties of any vehicle they bring into the country illegally.
A breakdown of the total revenue collected during the period under review shows that in May alone, the command realised the sum of N555,178,779.88 (five hundred and fifty-five million, one hundred and seventy-eight thousand, seven hundred and seventy-nine naira). Record of the command’s revenue profile for the same period last year show an increase of about 300 per cent, representing N158,093,219.83 (One hundred and fifty-eight million, ninety three thousand, two hundred and nineteen naira, eighty-three kobo.
He further disclosed that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures made during the period is N488, 544,381, as against N104, 973,552 during the same period last year. According to Oteri, aside from the relationship with the traditional rulers in the area, the Comptrller-General has greatly motivated the officers and men of the Command; hence they must put in their best towards achieving the set goals of the Service.
Continuing he noted that few weeks ago, the Customs helmsman gave the Command ten brand new Hilux jeeps to enhance the fight against smuggling. The Ogun Customs boss also said that the Command has about 800 officers and men working hard to realise the goals of the Service in the area. Amongst other incentives are early payment of salaries and allowances; and effective mobilisation of personnel which has resulted to prompt response to duty.
He also disclosed that excise duty of the Command has seriously been repositioned and result is coming as frequent as it should; just like the anti-smuggling unit.
