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Customs Generates N1trn In Six Months


Oluwasina Phillip

The Nigerian Custom Service on Thursday disclosed that it generated the sum of N1trn at the end of the first half of the year, N290bn higher than the corresponding period of last year.

The Public Relations Officer of NCS, Joseph Attah, disclosed this in Abuja at a media briefing to update the public on the performance of the Service in the first half of the year.

He clarified that the total revenue generated in the H1 is exclusive of the penalties paid for contraventions made by aircraft owners.

He said, “The Service has generated the sum of N1,003,752,951,735.55 as against the N713,548,395,834.93 with a positive difference of N290,204,555,900.62.

“This feat is as a result of resolute pursuit of what is right and willingness to adapt to changes brought about by global health challenges occasioned by covid-19.”

On enforcement, Attah stated that between January to June, the Service, through its efforts at the land borders, seized a total number of 2,333 assorted items with a duty paid value of N4,422,548,980.00.

“Some of these seizures include dangerous items like arms and ammunition, illicit drugs and food items like rice, vegetable oil e.t.c. that could have had grave consequences on national security and economy,” he added.

He explained that 58 aircraft owners have complied with its directive to provide the documents of their jets for verification by the Service.

Attah stated that due to the level of compliance which he described as encouraging, the Comptroller General of the Service, Hameed Allo had instructed that the deadline for the verification process be extended by 14 days.

Recall that last month, the NCS directed Private jet owners to verify their documents before July 6th or risk having their airplanes impounded.

He said, “At the end of the verification period, a total number of 58 private aircrafts owners complied.

“Infractions discovered during the verification exercise include: Breach of Temporary Importation agreement. Non appropriate payment of duty and taxes.

“Interestingly, those in default have indicated interest to pay with some already commencing the process by making appropriate declarations.

“Considering the level of response and indications for more, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has graciously extended the verification period for 14 days to 20th July 2021.”

He warned that appropriate sanctions will be meted on defaulters at the end of the extended period.

“By the end of this extended period, the Service will not hesitate to invoke appropriate sanctions as contained in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004 as amended against any Private Aircraft Owner that fails to take advantage of this period to verify his or her Aircraft,”he stated

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