FG sets N4.1trn revenue target for Customs in 2022

The Federal Government has set a N4.1trillion revenue target for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for the 2022 fiscal year.

This represents an increase of N2.5trillion when compared to the N1.6trillion target set for 2021.

The Service had generated the sum of N2.2trillion in 2021 surpassing the target of N1.6trillion set for the year.

Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta, who disclosed this at a media briefing in Lagos on Thursday expressed optimism that the Service will leverage on the deployment of digital transformation of the Customs business processes to realise the set target.

He said the command was also ready to work and contribute towards realisation of the target.

He said, “Happy new year and welcome to 2022, the year of hope and high expectations, particularly with the increase in the service revenue target to N4.1 trillion naira. For us in Apapa Area Command, we have already boarded and fastened our seat towards the realisation of this revenue target. We hope that the Service will leverage on the deployment of digital transformation of the Customs business processes which will further take care of many control mechanisms through its risk management system.

“This transformation will further harmonise the activities of our stakeholders toward a seamless ease of doing business in the port.”

Speaking on the activities of the command for the outgone year, Comptroller Malanta disclosed that the command collected a total of N870.4billion revenue from January to December 2021 as against N518.4 billion collected in 2020 translating to 68 percent increase.

He said the amount was realised in spite of the challenges faced in the trade supply chain occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, high cost of freight, incessant traffic gridlock, rail construction through the port, as well as ensuring increase in compliance level from stakeholders.

On anti-smuggling, he said the command made a total of 103 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N31.2billion.

Some of the seized items he said include the seizure of 46.55 kg of cocaine concealed on vessels MV Karteria and MV Chayanee Naree laden with raw sugar.

Others are containers of foreign parboiled rice, tomato paste, secondhand clothes, unregistered pharmaceuticals like captagon pills, tramadol, codeine syrup among others.

“These were seizures made in accordance with provision sections 46, 47 and 161 of CEMA (Customs and Excise Management act) CAP C45 LFN 2004. These seizures are condemned by a competent court of law and the suspects are still undergoing investigation and interrogation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to repeat here that, no matter whose ox is gored, the command is not going to tolerate any form of illicit behaviour in the trade supply chain. We are not only going to expose these recalcitrant traders (importers and their cronies), we will also ensure that they are brought to book with maximum penalty under the laws of the land,” he said.

On export, the Customs boss said goods worth over N245billion were exported through Apapa port in the year under review.

He said, “Sustained trade facilitation strategies put in place had a positive impact on export trade through Apapa port. In the year under review, the command recorded a boom in the exportation of non-oil commodities with about 110 percent increase in tonnage above the figure of the year 2020.

“Statistics from the export unit shows that goods with a total tonnage of about 5,380,000 metric tons were exported in the year 2021, as against 1,300,000 metric tons exported in 2020.

“The Free on Board (FOB) value for the exported items also rose from $340 million in the year 2020 to $641 million US dollars in 2021. The naira equivalent of the exported goods stood at over N245 billion naira. Items exported include steel bars, agricultural and mineral products, among others.

“This feat was achieved through the Federal government policy and export incentives schemes occasioned by the service facilitation and automation of NXP and CCI.

“It is instructive to note that these unprecedented achievements were made possible because of our officers/men doggedness and tireless commitment to their duties. Nonetheless, we have diligently strengthened our risk assessment capacity through forensic system audit and dispute resolution procedures in accordance with World Customs Organization (WCO) standard. Trade disputes were amicably resolved in an atmosphere that promoted compliance with visible results in higher revenue, indicating lesser cost of doing business and seizures.”

He added, “The command has achieved a robust industrial harmony with all government agencies in the Apapa port, especially our host the NPA, other sister agencies, the DSS, NAFDAC, NDLEA, SON, Port Police, as well as shipping lines and terminal operators whose tremendous contribution has been a great success in the outgone year. We look forward to a strengthened collaboration and synergy in this prosperous and glorious new year 2022.”