Customs Command generates N536m in January

Comptroller Wanidu Multafu, the Customs Area Controller, Ogun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday said that the command generated N536 million in January.

Multafu made the disclosure at Idiroko, Ogun, on the sideline of the visit of the Zone `A’ Coordinator of the NCS, Mr Eporwei Edike.

The command generated N1.2billion between January and February 2015.

He said that he had designated some officers to mount surveillance in some of the bush paths in the area, while some officers were designated to be at the checkpoints.

"We have porous border which has been affecting us in generating more revenue because the smugglers escape through the various routes in the area.

"We have appealed to the rice dealers in the area to form a group and clear the rice through the border station to avoid being seized,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Multafu as saying.

He urged officers not to compromise the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired, Col. Hameed Alli on zero tolerance for smuggled products.

Multafu said that he had closed the border three times since his resumption in the last few weeks due to illegal operations.

On his part, the zonal coordinator urged the officers to cooperate with the controller to enable them benefit from his experience.

He commended the officers for the ``huge’’ success recorded by the command in 2015 in terms of revenue, adding that the officers should work harder and generate more revenue in 2016.

"To achieve more success, you need to be more dedicated and committed to your duties and go after collecting every kobo as revenue.

"I am appealing to you to collaborate with traditional rulers and other government agencies for intelligence information assistance.

"Go back to your drawing board and strategies on how to top up your performance and assist government to meet up with its responsibilities,’’ NAN quotes Edike as saying.

The zonal coordinator, however, urged the controller to thoroughly supervise the junior officers in order not to end up in trouble while discharging their duties.