By Sylvanus OBASI, Lagos
The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a revenue of Thirty Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty-Four Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Nine Naira; Fifteen Kobo (₦30,664,247,939.15k generated for the period of January to May 2024.
The Customs Area Controller of the Command Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, made this known in his media press briefing held recently at the operational headquarters in Ibadann Oyo state.
Addressing journalists during the briefing, the Area Controller said the sum of Six Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty-Five Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Six Hundred Naira (₦6,335,842,600.28k) was realized in the month of May 2024 only and the cumulative amount generated over the period represents 5.2% increase, when compared to the sum of Twenty-Nine Billion, One Hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Two Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo (₦29,154,853,722.73k) generated during the same period of the year 2023.
According to him: “The increase is a testament to the dedication and efficiency of our officers in ensuring compliance and maximizing revenue collection. However, the Command still has a herculean task ahead, as the revenue target is set at One Hundred and Forty-One Billion, Six Hundred and Eighty-Two Million, and Twelve Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Six Naira, Eighty-Four Kobo (₦141,682,012,396.84).
In its anti-smuggling activities, Dr. Oramalugo noted that “The months of April, May and some parts of June, witnessed numerous successful operations resulting in the seizure of contraband items and for the period covering 17th April to 13th June 2024 the Command has made the numerous interceptions and seizures.
The Command has however received approval to hand over the 546 wraps and another 33 sacks of Cannabis Sativa worth Twenty-One Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Naira (₦21,128,260:00k) to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Oyo State Command. We’ve also gotten approval to auction the seizures of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) listed as part of our seizures due to their inflammable nature.
“The introduction of advanced technology solutions, such as the Nigeria Customs Service Modernization Project, has streamlined our processes and enhanced transparency, further boosting our revenue collection capabilities” the CAC posited.
