Oyo/Osun Customs generates N71.2bn revenue in 2023

The Oyo/ Osun command of the Nigeria Customs Service says it generated N71.2 billion revenue in 2023.

Controller of the Command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo who disclosed this during a press briefing to showcase the performance of the command in 2023 said during the period covering November and December 2023, the command collected the sum of N5billion and N7. 2 billion respectively into the Federation and Non-Federation Accounts.

“When added to the sum of N59billion already collected for the period of January to October 2023, the cumulative sum of N71. 2 billion was collected for the fiscal year of 2023, ” the Controller said.

He said despite the global and local challenges that impacted trade, the revenue was made possible “through fair and efficient revenue collection, continuous implementation of measures to further simplify customs processes and the resolve of Command Officers and Men to work tirelessly while religiously enforcing provisions of our new extant laws (NCS ACT 2023) aimed at facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that customs duties and taxes were collected efficiently.”

In the area of anti smuggling, Comptroller Oramalugo said the command intercepted contraband valued at N454million within the review period.

He listed some of the goods seized to include vehicles, used shoes, cannabis sativa, foreign parboiled rice, premium motor spirit and used tyres among other prohibited goods.

He hghlighted other seizures for the year 2023 and those made so far in 2024 to include: 88 sacks and 349 wraps of Cannabis Sativa with a DPV of N47,854,800.00; 100,900 litres equivalent to (4,036 Kegs) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with a DPV of N18,220,400.00; 9,595 50kg bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice with a DPV of N181,915,800.00 and 35 Units of used vehicles with a DPV of N134,196,800.00.

Others are 177 bales and 13 sacks of second hand clothing with a DPV of N53,640,000.00; 3,702 pieces of used tyres with a DPV of N11,227,200.00; and 100 pieces of uncut Timber with a DPV of 7,700,000.00.

“Our commitment to combating smuggling activities has remained unwavering in 2023 and during the period under review, the Oyo/Osun Area Command has intensified efforts to curb illicit trade, safeguard national security and protect local industries from unfair competition.

“With the use of Coordinated Border Management, Intelligence-driven Risk Management and continuous Patrol/Enforcement Operations, we conducted numerous successful patrol operations that led to the interception and seizure of many contraband goods,” he said.

Oramalugo attributed the milestone recorded by the Command to tmely sharing of credible intelligence and synergy between all units of the Nigeria Customs Service resident with Oyo/Osun State.

“It is also important to note the collaborative effort of sister security agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, NDLEA, Oyo State Operation Burst and Amotekun Corps which are highly appreciated.

“We would also like to appreciate the efforts of all Traditional Rulers, Local Government Chairmen and Key Stakeholders in both Oyo and Osun States, who have continued to enlighten their people about the negative effect of smuggling to our economy.

“We would like to implore them to continue the great work while assuring them that the Service and the Command will leave no stone unturned to ensure smuggling is suppressed to the barest minimum.

“We would like to use this opportunity to implore all patriotic residents of Oyo and Osun States as well as members of the general public to provide useful information that could be used to apprehend economic saboteurs in their environment to the Command, in order to rid our society of all individuals with such nefarious intentions, to protect our local industries and improve the Commands service delivery, ” he said.

The CAC said looking ahead to 2024, the Command will build on the successes recorded in the past year and expand the use of advanced technology, including Data analytics and artificial intelligence, to enhance its intelligence gathering and enforcement capability.