The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller -General, Adewale Adeniyi yesterday said the revenue collection of the organization grew by 74per cent to hit N4.49trillion in one year.

Presenting his scorecard of one year in office in Abuja, he recalled the revenue increased from the N2.58trillion recorded in June 2023.

“Revenue collection. The NCS reported a remarkable 74% growth in revenue collection over the past year, recording a total revenue collection of N 4.49 trillion between June 2023 and May 2024, compared to the N2.58 trillion collected during the corresponding period of the previous year,” he said.

Adeniyi noted that the achievement was underpinned by a sustained increase of 70.13per cent in  average monthly revenue collection compared to the previous year.

NCS, according to him, recorded an average monthly revenue collection of N343 billion, compared to the N 202 billion monthly average.

He said notably, there was a substantial 122.35per cent rise in revenue collection during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.

The Customs boss attributed the increase in revenue to various strategic initiatives, including: N 15 billion Recovery by the Revenue Review Performance Recovery exercise.

He also based it on the N 2.79 billion recovered from the 90-day window for the regularisation of the documents of uncustomed vehicles.

Adeniyi added that N 1.5 billion Recovered from the decongestion of 1,705 overtime containers and 981 vehicles from the port was instrumental to the rise in revenue collection.

He noted that “on June 13, 2024, NCS recorded a daily All-Time-High of N 58.5 billion in revenue collection”

He also said the deployment of officers to sensitive posts on the basis of merit and capacity was accountable for the feat.

Adeniyi said in terms of Trade Facilitation, significant achievements have been made, including the decongestion of ports and the reopening of previously inaccessible access roads.

He said the Service’s anti-smuggling efforts in the past year have intensified, resulting in significant interceptions, high-value seizures, and numerous arrests.

He said the Service recorded 63 seizures related to animal and wildlife products valued at ₦566 million.

The Customs boss added that seven seizures of arms and ammunition were made through our ports and borders.

In terms of illicit drugs, Adeniyi said, a combined total of 127 cases involving narcotics and pharmaceutical products were seized, valued at over 6 billion.

He noted that the Service also recorded “724 seizures of 2.93 million litres of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) that were attempted to be smuggled out of the country.

The Customs boss said the illegal dealings in petroleum evacuation have garnered the interest of relevant stakeholders.

He said  revealed that the Service has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with strategic trade partners like China Customs and recently is working with the Benin Customs to facilitate the creation of a new joint border post along the Segbana-Tsamia border with the Republic of Benin at Kebbi.

He vowed that Operation Whirlwind will continue to intercept and disrupt the activities of smugglers in this regard.

Adeniyi said more recently, PMS smuggling has emerged as a potential national security threat.

He noted that beyond the funding it provides for smugglers, the deprivation of Nigerians’ access to PMS can cause significant disruptions and exacerbate the hardships faced by many.

He said in a bid to guarantee food security and suppress the smuggling of food in and out of the country, the Service recorded 1,744 cases of rice and grain seizures valued at 4.4 billion.

These concerted efforts, said Adeniyi, underscore the NCS’s commitment to protecting society and ensuring national security.

He said going forward, the measures the NCS has implemented, and the results so far, are well-intended and designed to yield positive benefits for the overall well-being of the nation.

“When the NCS facilitates trade and reduces the costs and encumbrances importers face, it translates to lower costs for importers, which should eventually reflect in price reductions for consumers. “While these gains may experience some lag due to factors beyond our control, such as transportation, infrastructure, and information asymmetry, we remain committed to our role.

“This is why the NCS is also focused on plugging leakages and improving revenue collection to support the funding of the government’s objectives and initiatives to build and upgrade infrastructure and invest in other essential schemes, including social welfare,” he added.

He said Customs mandate to protect society should be seen in the context of mitigating the damaging effects of illicit substances like codeine and cannabis indica on the productive youth of Nigeria.

He added that similarly, intercepting the entry of arms and ammunition is crucial in preventing the worsening of our national security situation.

Unchecked smuggling of prohibited items, said Adeniyi, not only fuels illegal activities but also strengthens unscrupulous individuals who seek to destabilize the peace, security, and prosperity of the country.

The Customs boss said the performance report is not oblivious of the challenges that Nigerians face and reassured that  with  the support of the Minster of Finance, NCS is working in close collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria to achieve a stable exchange rate rate for import of goods to enable business plan activities.

He vowed that NCS will continue to work with relevant national and international agencies to share intelligence and develop structured frameworks to ensure that those seeking to disrupt the peace and stability of the nation do not go unpunished.

On food inflation, the Comptroller -General pledged that the Service will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that business of food hoarders is unprofitable.

On Compliance with Customs Laws, according to him, the Service constantly reviewing its processes in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2024 to ensure that leakages are blocked and offenders of Customs laws are made to face the full penalty and the wrath of the law. He said NCS is engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure that the deliverable of the customs modernisations are met as the Service continues to phase out manual processes with automation

On Trade Agreements, Adeniyi said NCS is working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the implementation of trade agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) yields the desired benefits to Nigerians.