The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it has generated the sum of N18.07 billion revenue between June 14 and August 29, 2024. into the Federal Government treasury.
The command also dealt massively on smugglers and their businesses by seizing contrabands and smuggled goods worth N713.15 million within the same period under review.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) Dr Ben Oramalugo, made this known in his address during a press briefing last Friday at the command headquarters in Ibadan on the activities of his command. He said his officers had continued to sustain the desired onslaught against smugglers and their nefarious activities which are highly inimical to the economy.
Oramalugo reiterated that his command would continue to leverage on the technological resources and capacity provided by the Customs management under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR to ensure that no revenue is lost on international trade carried out in the area.
The address reads, “For the months of June and July 2024 the Command collected a total revenue of ₦13.31 billion and for the period covering August 1st to August 23rd 2024 the Command has collected the sum of ₦4.77 billion, making a total of ₦18.078 billion.
“Cumulatively, when added to the sum of ₦30.66 billion generated between January and May 2024, the sum of ₦48.74 billion was collected. This signifies 2.74% increase when compared to the sum of ₦47.4 billion collected for the period of January to August 2023".
The command's heldman attributed the improved revenue performance to enhanced monitoring and enforcement, collaboration with stakeholders, and technological advancements, which helped to foster the locals, reduce bottlenecks and enhance his officers’ ability to detect and prevent revenue leakages.
Comptroller Oramalugo also informed that the command seized various disturbing quantities of contrabands and smuggled goods, including premium motor spirit, popularly known as petrol, being smuggled out of Nigeria to the neighbouring Republic of Benin.
A breakdown of the seizures showed that the command intercepted 753 kegs and 94 drums of fuel totalling 40,915 litres and valued at N27.89 million; 2448 wraps and 11 sachets of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) totalling 2,020kg and worth N148.93 million; and 2,183 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice with duty paid value of N192.14 million.
Other goods intercepted by the command include used tyres 2,667 pieces worth N254.84 million; 24 bales of used clothes valued at N17.28 million; one unit of used Mazda car valued at N3.6 million; a used Pick-up Truck worth N7.7 million; and two used DAF trucks valued at N60.8 million.
According to the controller, In the spirit of interagency collaboration, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has given approval to the Command to hand over the 2, 448 wraps and another 11 sachets of Cannabis Sativa worth ₦148.93 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Oyo State Command.
In the same vein, he said approval was also been received from the Customs management to auction the seized Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) because of the inflammable nature of the product.
Concluding, Oranalugo said, “As we move forward, the Oyo/Osun Area Command remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and service in all our operations. We would continue to leverage technology and innovative practices in line with the new NCS Act of 2023 to further enhance our operations and deliver on our mandate.
“I would like to extend my appreciation to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Oyo State Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE, Traditional Rulers in both Oyo and Osun States, Sister Security Agencies, Sister Units of the Customs Service and other stakeholders for their continued support and collaboration. Together, we will build on our successes and overcome the challenges ahead as we strive to fulfill our mandate under the Nigeria Customs Service Act".
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