By Ifeyinwa Obi
IN its drive to complement the efforts of Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs,NCS, Alhaji Abdullahi Inde Dikko at meeting revenue targets,  Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Area Command has  generated a total amount of N549,035,660.89 for the month of May 2010.

Disclosing this to CustomsWatch in his Enugu office, the Area Comptroller, Mr. Ralph Bellu noted that more revenue would be generated when the Enugu airport and the proposed River Niger Sea Port takes off.

According to him, “You know that this place is landlocked but I and my men are making good efforts to generate revenue. I am optimistic that we would generate more when the airport and the sea port and River Niger Sea ports takes off, because of the active trade nature of this area.

“We have brought facilities scattered in the state into customs control that is why we have been able to rake in this much. The CG has been very supportive in this course, he has boasted the morale of the officers and in return, the officers are putting much effort in discharging their duties.”

He also decried  the volatility of the area, saying that it has continued to dwindle trade facilitation.

“The area is volatile, like in Aba and Nnewi that use to be very busy, the activity of the hoodlums there these days have almost paralyzed the business activities in the area. People are leaving the place for a safe place and this is not for the best interest of trade.”

In addition, Bellu said, “we have fully embraced the reforms and  E-payments and it would interest you to know that the industries like Nigerian Breweries are complying, they have also ben complying in paying there duties we also have seminar .to enlighten stakeholders.”