By Sidi A. Umar
Sokoto
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Sokoto/ Kebbi/ Zamfara Area Command said it had generated over N 1.3 billion as revenue between January to December18, 2015.
A statement signed by the spokesman of the command, Malam Musa Adamu and made available to newsmen in Sokoto, stated that the figure had surpassed the year’s target of about N 1.17 billion given to the command by the management of the service.
”This represents a surplus of about N 66.38 million above the annual target given to the command by the headquarters.
”The 2015 revenue profile represents a significant milestone in the history of the command. Indeed, this was a significant growth of the command’s revenue generation,” it added.
The statement further stated that many factors were responsible for the increased revenue generation in the command.
It enumerated some of the factors to include the pronouncement of the Comptroller-General of the service, retired Col. Hameed Ali’s policy thrust.
”The command under the acting Area Controller, Mohammed Nmayawo restructured its operational strategies, with a view to optimally achieve our core statutory mandates of revenue collection, anti-smuggling activities and trade facilitation among other collaborative functions.
”Also, the recent fiscal policy review that unbanned the importation of rice contributed immensely to the growth of revenue profile in the command.
”In addition, improved logistics provided by the service headquarters has added to the success recorded by the command,” the statement, averred.
It further stated that unpatriotic Nigerians into smuggling through unapproved border routes within the command were having tough time with the command.
This he added, was sequel to the resilience and firm determination of the officers and men under the command in fighting smuggling to a standstill.
”So far this outgoing year of 2015, we have recorded about 170 different seizures of used vehicles, second hand clothes, narcotics, drugs, foreign rice , mosquito coil and other sundry goods.
”The duty paid value of the seized items stood at about N 100 million. Eight suspects were arrested in connection to the seizures and are being investigated for onward prosecution in the court of law,” it stated.
