Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Command Records As Revenue In 2024
Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Command Records As Revenue In 2024
By Asuquo Nuwak
The Enugu /Anambra /Ebonyi Command of Nigeria Customs Service has raised the bar to an unprecedented height in 2024, with the collection of 50,847,625,597.08
This figure represents over 50% increase in revenue collection when compared to that of the preceding year 2023 with the collection of 27,954,707,493.00, a feat ever achieved, since the inception of the command.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Comfort Ukpanah, made this press statement during press briefing to highlight the scorecard of the command in 2024.
She noted that this outstanding breakthrough was achieved through their deliberate and concerted efforts at alignment with the three policy guidelines of the comptroller-General of customs which included Consultation, Innovation and Consolidation.
Beside this, she further stated that the command had worked assiduously to create an all-inclusive methodology in their modus operandi with their stakeholders.
Consequently, the command leveraged on that to galvanize and earn the trust of their esteemed stakeholders in adhering strictly to the extant guidelines in terms of trade.
In addition to this, she said the command had developed a template for monitoring compliance by the stakeholders as well as the commitment levels of officers and men of the command to ensure that all verified operational gaps are blocked.
According to her, this procedure was also applied to the excise factories and parcel post functions, while the command, through intelligence sharing and collaboration was able to identify excise factories that use hitherto not brought under excise control.
the command has ensured a round the clock (24hrs) surveillance on activities of such factories, in addition to the existing ones, to ensure that appropriate excise duties were collected. She said the command clearly understands the risk for not paying attention to parcel posts, hence the major reason to rejig the effort.
Comptroller Comfort Ukpanah disclosed that the period under review had its fair share of challenges occasioned by the global economic recession. She however said the resilience and deep commitment of the officers and men of the command has enabled them to ensure that areas of revenue leakages were blocked with a view to collecting all collectible revenue.
The Customs Area Controller announced that the command is not oblivious of its’ obligations and role in realising the revenue target set for the command by Nigeria Customs service, in view of the fact that the service has a pivotal role in the overall revenue projection for the nation.
She recalled that just recently, Mr. President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR announced a budget of 49.74 trillion as budget projection for 2025.
in view of this, the command will surely take steps to re-position itself and create fresh operational strategies to ensure that the command meet and even surpass the revenue target that will be given to the command in this new year, while assuring that the command have the competence and capacity to achieve result.
Comptroller Comfort Ukpanah is quoted as saying that: “It is also instructive to note that during the year under reference, several activities aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the service and other agencies, including traditional institutions was given a priority attention”.
She noted that the command had the exceptional support of the various security and regulatory agencies where they operated. She however announced that the intelligence sharing was a critical factor that necessitated the command giant strides.
Apart from this, she said the highlight of the activities was the visit of the National chairperson of the Customs officers Wives Association Mrs. Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi with her National Excos to the command. The visit, according to the report, afforded the national chairperson the opportunity to inspect and commission all completed COWA projects in the command, especially the ultra-modern clinic that is serving the health needs of not just officers of the command but communities proximate to the command.
Comptroller Comfort Ukpanah is quoted as saying that: “I would like to pay glowing tribute to our indefatigable comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, mfr Fnipr psc(+) Dss and members of his, management for their unflinching support and guidance which provided us with the wherewithal to deliver on our mandate.
May I assure the CGC that the command will remain a strong link in the value chain in assisting him to realise the huge expectations of Nigerians and Mr. President”.
In her words: “Let me at this juncture also appreciate the support of the various operators, particularly the compliant traders, while using this medium to advise any operator contemplating non-compliance with the extant guidelines on trade to have a rethink or be ready to force the full wrath of the law”.
The Customs Area Controller announced that this statement will not be completed without specially recognizing the role which the media friends have been playing in supporting the Nigeria Customs Service in general and the Command in particular. She added that the media have proven overtime to be a very reliable and dependable ally of the service. She therefore urge the media friends to continue in that light as the task of nation building is a shared responsibility. She further saluted the media exceptional sense of duty and professionalism in all ramifications, saying that the command is very proud of them.
At the end of the press briefing, she once again reiterated the commitment of the command to up their ante in the new year to enable them meet and even surpass their revenue target for the new year.
She announced that the officers and men of Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Command also deserve special mention for their untiring effort during the period, while believing that they will do even better in this new year.
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