Customs Corner
Customs PTML Command Generates N213 Billion, Engages Stakeholders On Export, Trade Facilitation, Others
Author: Cynthia Idowu; Lagos.
The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has released the revenue generation scorecard of the Command from January to November 2022.
Giving a comparative analysis of the revenue collection within the period under review at the Command Headquarters in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller of the PTML Command, Comptroller Suleiman Bomai said, A total sum of N213,405,461,873.00 was collected as revenue between the months of Jan-Nov, 2022, compared to Jan-Nov, 2021, which was N205,157,478,605.00 an appreciation of N8,247,983,268.00 translating to an increase of 4%.
“I love challenges, and I would have loved to double that figure, which we can do, but the volume is another thing. If the volume could have remained the way it was, I would have generated at least N1b in this command. But because of the volume, I also interfaced with Grimaldi, and they told me about the external and internal factors which limited the import of vehicles.” He revealed.
Similarly, the CAC while Engaging the Stakeholders harped on the need for constant engagement as directed by the CGC, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd). This he said, is imperative to look always at any loopholes and attend to them immediately.
“Since the inception of this regime, the CGC has directed that there must be engagement because we have looked at the gaps which stemmed from lack of engagement between the NCS and the stakeholders. We also have strategic partners, who have some government agencies that work together with us, and there must be cooperation and synergy, and we cannot achieve that without engagement. The idea of engagement is, let us review what we have done, issues at stake, challenges, and strategies to move forward, and it has to be constant because trade is dynamic.” The CAC reiterated.
Speaking further he said, Nigeria used to be dependent on forex from oil, as over 90% of the Country’s revenue was generated from it, but was taken aback by the global shock which affected prices and values of the oil.
“We had to think out of the box. Any economist knows that it is export that finances import, in that sense, when you export forex, you then use it for the importation of raw materials, semi-finished goods, and finished goods. Now that there is a scarcity of forex as a result of lack of inflow due to the drop in the price of oil and so many factors, Nigeria could do better if we encourage our non-oil export to grow in such a way that it can then contribute to the forex inflow into the country because it is through the forex that you get access to it before you can import. That is why I said it is export that finances import, and this time around, it is the non-oil export that we want to grow so they can add to the oil export, thereby increasing the forex. That is why I emphasized export.” He noted.
Also on VIN valuation, the CAC said, NCS is one of the most automated government agencies. “We have the capacity and officers to roll out any product, and when we rolled out the VIN valuation, we sensitized the stakeholders; to me, it is a success story. At the same time, it was not 100% complete because there are what is called the standard and non-standard, and I hope that the latter will soon be automated. If we can do that, then we would have completed the automated process of vehicles.”
“The automation process does not stop there, as even the enforcement aspect is also being automated. The era of someone clearing their vehicle from the port and being stopped along the way by an officer for value checking is gone; now, they have a tab on which they can check if the duty is standard, which takes less time. Some of the beautiful things about the VIN valuation are that we have reduced the cost of clearance, and we have maximally reduced contact because that is the most dangerous thing during the clearing process; it ushers in what I call bilateral tax evasion. When there is contact, the taxpayer and the tax collector connive to cheat 200 million Nigerians.”
“Today, from the comfort of your house, you can pay your duty, do your assessment at the clearing zone and other procedures, and all that will be left is the examination and picking your vehicle, and once it is standard, you have no issues. The only issues we usually have are from the non-standard aspect, where the management is trying to automate, and once that is done, we are good to go.” He explained.
The General Manager of Grimaldi in charge of Commercial, Chioma Ayanonu seconded the CAC’s stance, according to her, Nigeria needs a paradigm shift from oil as there are many untapped potentials in Green energy, Electric cars, etc.
“The need for export cannot be overemphasized, it’s more important now than ever, Nigeria has been heavily dependent on oil. For every seven import containers we bring in, only one goes out as export, there is a huge stock of containers that go out empty when they can load them with export. The more export we can send, the lower we can charge as freight.” She added
Customs Corner
ACG Swomen Charges Trained Officers on Weapon Handling to Remain Worthy Ambassadors Customs
Author: Ibe Wada.
The Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A, ACG Hammi Swomen, has charged over 60 officers to remain worthy ambassadors of the Nigeria Customs Service as they concluded an intensive training on weapon handling.
Swomen, who also represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, made this remark on Friday, 19 April 2024, during the passing out Ceremony of Officers of the Federal Operation Unit, Zone A, who were trained on weapon handling at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos.
Expressing appreciation for the dedication of all involved, Swomen emphasised the significance of the training in enriching the Nigeria Customs Service.
He said, “This is a wonderful milestone, not just for the Zone but the entire service. It is a message we would carry far and wide”.
With retirement on the horizon, Swomen expressed confidence in the Service’s future, stating, “My primary constituency, NCS, is moving to greater heights.” He urged the trained officers to positively influence their colleagues as a way of renewing their commitment to the Service.
Addressing pressmen on how the training would contribute to the general goal and mission of the Service, he said, “It is all-encompassing, ranging from how they deal with members of the public to carrying out operational affairs and others. They had classroom work, study tour to Seme checkpoints and went for shooting range too”.
Highlighting the comprehensive nature of the training, which addressed challenges faced by Customs Officers in the field, Outgoing Federal Operations Unit Comptroller Hussein Ejubunu remarked, “It behoves on the leadership to ensure that training and retraining of personnel is done as and when due. This crop of Officers were posted to the Zone and my Command and I felt the need for them to be retrained on weapon handling as this has become a challenge”.
“It is an indication that the Service will still go places and that we have competent trainers in the NCS that can train our men. I have no doubt in me with the present crop of Officers that are passing out today”. He acknowledged.
Commandant of Customs Training College, Ikeja, DC Haniel Hadison, expressed gratitude to the CGC for the opportunity to conduct the one-month training on weapon handling.
Hadison emphasised the effectiveness of the modules covered, noting, “In the course of this training, we did not experience any casualty.”
Hadison highlighted its significance in addressing operational challenges faced by Customs Officers, from engaging with the public to executing operational affairs effectively.
Author: Muhammad Bashir.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, had on Tuesday, 16 April 2024, received in audience the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) delegation, led by Director General Hafsat Bakari, at the Service’s Headquarters in Abuja.
CGC Adeniyi’s meeting with DG Bakari centred around sealing a strong partnership that will enable the two agencies to take measures of enhancing border security through intensifying onslaught against smugglers and money launderers and other terrorism financing activities.
The CGC, while addressing the NFIU officials, congratulated DG Bakari for her appointment to head the organisation. He expressed Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to support NFIU by way of establishing a joint team that will be tasked to address some pressing issues.
“I want to wish you a successful tenure. I see, through your passion, your commitment to Project Nigeria, and I also see the collaborative spirit that you brought on board. These are all things that I share also because I believe that we can draw strength from each other, assist ourselves, and get things done.” the CGC said.
“We need to form an internal team that will be drawn up from our side to review those outstanding issues so that we begin to see, in a determined effort, what we can do,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the NFIU Director-General, Hafsat Bakari, applauded the NCS’s resilient commitment to safeguarding Nigerian borders, particularly in combating smuggling activities.
Emphasising the importance of information sharing, Mrs Bakari highlighted that her visit to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service is to establish a cordial relationship with the service in intelligence sharing.
She said, “We recognise the vital role of the NCS in protecting Nigeria’s borders, preventing the smuggling of illicit goods, but also in ensuring that those who import goods into our country pay the appropriate fees and levies that are due to the federal government.”
According to her, the ultimate goal of the NFIU was to ensure the safety and prosperity of Nigeria, adding that “we want to make sure that we have efficient systems processes and technologies in place to identify the smuggling of currency and other high-value items.
…As CGC Adeniyi Commends Directing Staff, Instructors for Dedication to Service
Author: Muhammad Bashir.
The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, marked a significant milestone on Friday, April 19, 2024, as it graduated 50 officers from Junior Course 18. The ceremony, held at the Ahmadu Makarfi Hall of the college, was attended by top officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, family members, and friends of the graduating officers.
Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Human Resources and Development Greg Itotoh, commended the directing staff and instructors for their exceptional input throughout the training session. He praised the graduating officers for their hard work and dedication, urging them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their training to enhance the service’s operations.
DCG Itotoh emphasised the importance of capacity building in achieving the Nigeria Customs Service’s strategic goals, stating, “The Service is committed to building a strong and effective team, and this graduation is a testament to that commitment.” He encouraged the graduating officers to be innovative and proactive in their approach to customs operations, embracing technology to enhance effective service delivery.
Commandant of the College, ACG Kingsley Egwuh, also praised the directing staff for their dedication and hard work in shaping the officers’ minds. He congratulated the graduating students, urging them to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead and make a positive impact in the Nigeria Customs Service.
The graduating officers, who have completed their training in various aspects of customs operations, leadership, and weapon handling, are expected to be deployed to various formations of the Service, where they will apply their knowledge and skills to enhance effective service delivery.
The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates and awards to deserving officers, recognising their outstanding performance during the training.
Earlier, the College had also held a regimental dinner for the graduating officers of Junior Course 18 on the 17th of April, 2027 – where Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi urged them to embrace professionalism and integrity in their service.
As the Special Guest of Honour at the Regimental Feast, CGC Adeniyi took to the podium to congratulate the graduating students after scaling through a series of rigorous training in the colleges, which, according to him, were meant to equip them to master the technical know-how of the Customs work.
Celebrating their academic achievements, CGC Adeniyi, however, enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the Service and give their careers purposeful meaning and uphold the motto of the Nigeria Customs Service—Justice and Honesty.
He added, “As you all return to your respective Commands, put everything you’ve learned to the test. That is the only gratitude you can show to those who have taken time to develop the curriculum which you were taught here.”
“You have been here for some time. You have developed yourselves. In a couple of years, the business of the Nigeria Customs Service will rest squarely on your shoulders”, he said.
The night concluded with a sense of accomplishment and pride, marking not only the end of academic pursuits but also the beginning of a journey for these graduates to carry forward the values of the Nigeria Customs Service with honour and dedication.
ACG Swomen Charges Trained Officers on Weapon Handling to Remain Worthy Ambassadors Customs
CGC Adeniyi Meets NFIU DG, Reiterates Commitment to Enhance Border Security
Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College Graduates 50 Officers of Junior Course 18
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