By Miriam Humbe
The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service exceeded its revenue in generation with a total revenue of ₦72,568,409,802.02 for 2024, representing an increase of 13.17% when compared to the sum of ₦64,118,678,267.69 in 2023.
Customs Area Controller for Oyo/Osun Area Command, Dr Ben Oramalugo disclosed this to journalists in a press briefing.
The briefing was held to reflect on the achievements of the Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Here’s a full text of the briefing:
It is important to note that, as we approach the end of the year, it is essential to reflect on the significant milestones achieved by the Oyo/Osun Area Command, as these accomplishments underscore our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives of citizens, protecting local industries, ensuring compliance with customs laws and supporting Nigeria’s economic stability.
For the period covering 30th October to 23rd December 2024, the Command has remained steadfast in enforcing the Federal Government’s fiscal policies, generating revenue, and combating smuggling activities that threaten our economy and security.
Revenue Generation Milestones:
In the face of the prevailing economic conditions, the Command has collected for the months of October and November 2024, the sum of ₦15,911,581,116.72 (Fifteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Eleven Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, One Hundred and Sixteen Naira Seventy-Two Kobo).
This represents an increase of 33.57% when compared to the sum of ₦11,912,219,301.19 (Eleven Billion, Nine Hundred and Twelve Million, Two Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Three Hundred and One Naira Nineteen Kobo) collected in the same period of 2023.
Cumulatively, for the period covering January to November 2024, the Oyo/Osun Area Command generated total revenue of ₦72,568,409,802.02 (Seventy-Two Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Two Naira, Two Kobo) representing a significant increase of 13.17% when compared to the sum of ₦64,118,678,267.69 (Sixty-Four Billion, One Hundred and Eighteen Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven Naira, Sixty-Nine Kobo) collected in the same period of 2023.
This achievement is a testament to our officers’ diligence, enhanced enforcement of customs laws and improved trade facilitation measures. It is also worthy to note that by adopting modern trade facilitation tools and promoting transparency, the Command has strengthened compliance among excise stakeholders, ensuring that revenue leakages are effectively curtailed, as the revenue collected contributes significantly to national development and supports the Federal Government’s economic agenda.
Anti-Smuggling Achievements:
In addition to revenue collection duties the Oyo/Osun Area Command has also intensified its efforts in Safeguarding Lives and Protecting Local Industries.
The anti-smuggling operation strategies already deployed has the festive season approaches, would leave no stone unturned to safeguarding lives of citizens, facilitating legitimate trade, securing local industries and ensuring compliance with laws.
I would like to emphasize that these seizures underscore the Command’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy and ensuring compliance with fiscal and trade policies. For the period covering 30th October to 19th December 2024, the Command anti-smuggling activities have led to the successful intercept and substantial seizures of prohibited items with a Duty Paid Valued of ₦370,772,600:00 (Three Hundred and Seventy Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Six Hundred Naira) showing the command’s commitment to performing its statutory duties.
The seized prohibited items include:
S/NO
COMMODITY SEIZED
QUANTITY
DUTY PAID VALUE
1-
Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice
110 (50Kg) Bags
₦9,680,000:00
2-
Packs of foreign Macaroni
4000 packs
₦144,000,000:00
3-
Premium Motor Spirit
377 (25 litre kegs)
(Totaling: 9425 litres)
₦7,464,600:00
4-
Second Hand Clothing
111 Bales
₦79,920,000:00
5-
Used Tyres
348 Pieces
₦33,408,000:00
6-
Banned and Unlicensed Pharmaceuticals
Chloroquine Injection: 50 Cartons
₦7,500,000:00
7-
Motor Vehicle
(Means of Conveyance)
1 DAF Truck
1 Canter
₦80,000,000:00
₦8,800,000:00
Total=₦370,772,600:00
The dangers posed by these smuggling activities cannot be overstated, as they not only compromise public health but also stifle the growth of local industries and deprive the government of much-needed revenue for infrastructure and development projects.
These seizures were carried out in strict adherence to the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET). The legal provisions enshrined in these books of authority guide our activities, reinforce our mandate to protect national interests, uphold the law, and maintain the integrity of our borders.
It is important to note that the enforcement of these seizures aligns with section 245 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which highlights the provision for the seizure, detention and condemnation of prohibited goods, as well as Schedules 3 (Import Prohibition) and Schedule 4 (Absolute Prohibition) of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) that provides a list of prohibited items.
At this Juncture, I would like to inform the Gentlemen of the press, that approval has been granted to the Command by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) BA Adeniyi MFR, fnipr, psc (+), in accordance with his policy thurst of the of consolidation, collaboration and innovation, to handover the seized Pharmaceutical’s to the National Agency For Food and Drugs Administration and Control for further investigation.
I would like to use this medium to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) BA Adeniyi MFR, fnipr, psc (+), and his Management Team for always supporting the Command.
I would also like to extend my profound gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State Engr. Seyi Makinde, Traditional Rulers in both Oyo and Osun States, Sister Security Agencies, Sister Units of the Nigeria Customs Service for their support, gallant officers and men of the Oyo/Osun Area Command for their unwavering dedication and patriotic citizens Oyo and Osun States in ensuring the success of our operations.
However, as we approach the festive season I would like urge the general public to keep supporting the Nigeria Customs Service by providing credible intelligence, complying with trade laws and rejecting any form of economic sabotage.
Furthermore as we conclude this year, I would like to state that the Oyo/Osun Area Command remains committed to upholding the values of transparency, accountability, and excellence in service delivery solely to protect lives, secure local industries and promote a thriving economy because together we will continue to build a more robust and prosperous Nigeria.
Finally, I would like to wish all our stakeholders Compliments of the Season and a Prosperous New Year.
Thank you for your attention and God Bless.
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