The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded the highest ever monthly revenue collection of N140.4 billion in August 2018, a statement from the agency said.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) in the statement said the feat was due to the dogged pursuit of the reform programmes which include: strategic deployment of manpower; upgrade on the electronic systems from Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS I) to NICIS II which has blocked leakages; and strict enforcement of extant guidelines by the Tariff and Trade department.
The other strategies he said are robust stakeholder engagements resulting in higher compliance; increased disposition of Officers and Men to change the way of doing things for the better.
The statement issued by the spokesman, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah, said Ali’s implementation of three pronged Presidential mandate of Restructure, Reform and Raise revenue in NCS has continued to strengthen the Service as a crucial contributor to National economy and Security.
In the last eight months, the Service has effected seizures of 156,090 bags of smuggled rice; 15,632 sets of military wears, 489,000 ammunitions and other items with the highest monthly revenue collection of over N140 billion in August 2018.
These positive harvests in anti-smuggling and revenue generation are a clear testimony of what can be achieved under a selflessly focused leadership.
Customs however called on Nigerians to support the Service by providing credible information to curb smuggling and generate revenue for national development.