Customs Generated N2.1bn in 2016 from Sokoto Command
Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto
The Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it collected about N 2.1 billion as revenue in 2016.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Musa Adamu, made available to THISDAY in Sokoto, said the revenue collection of the year under review represented a 122.13 per cent of the year’s annual revenue target.
The statement stated that this represents a surplus of N379.5 million above the annual target given by the service headquarters.
It pointed out that N1.3 billion was collected in 2015, which shows an increase of N803.1 million or 62.19 per cent over what was collected in 2015.
The statement described the 2016 revenue profile as a significant milestone in the history of the command, being the first time such amount was collected.
“This height could not have been attained without the enabling peaceful environment in our operations.
“It was also due to the cooperation of the trading public and other stakeholders, including customs licensed agents, as well as other security outfits, particularly the military and the police,” the statement read.
It said the command in 2016 made 161 seizures of various items, including 6,000 bags of foreign rice, 5,200 containers of vegetable oil and 1,150 bales of second hand clothes and also collected the duty paid value of N 200milion, among other achievements.
According to the statement, 20 suspects arrested in connection with the seizures were granted bail, while investigations were ongoing, with a view to prosecuting them.
“The controller further wishes to use this medium to reiterate that the ban on the importation of foreign rice and vehicles through land borders remains in force. He has also called on legitimate importers to comply with the federal government’s fiscal policies.
“They should explore other legitimate alternatives and windows available for importation of the restricted items.
“We shall continue to train and retrain our officers and men in order to fight smuggling to a standstill,” the statement concluded.
