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Tag: Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC)

  • Customs’ Operation Whirlwind Hits Hard on Petrol Smugglers as Operatives Make Significant Seizures

    Customs’ Operation Whirlwind Hits Hard on Petrol Smugglers as Operatives Make Significant Seizures

    Barely two weeks after Nigeria Customs Service launched “Operation Whirlwind” – a decisive onslaught against illegal trade of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, says the Service has started recording massive turnout in curtailing the menace of PMS smuggling across the federation.

    Addressing newsmen on Monday, 10 June 2024, in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, the CGC re-emphasised strategic efforts to address the critical issue of fuel smuggling, Stating that the exercise aimed at curtailing economic saboteurs has the solid support of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    He said the Service had, in response to the alarming increase in fuel smuggling, launched the initiative to defend the National currency, reduce pressures that may be attributed to the activities of smugglers and dismantle their cartels within the ecosystem.

    “In the past 2 weeks we have received credible intelligence on the relative stability of the price of PMS around the Border States, this is easily attributed to disruptions in the operations of smugglers”, he said.

    According to him, the operatives attached to the initiative had, within 7 days of non-stop task, intercepted a total of 150,950 litres of PMS, valued at N105,965,391, at various locations nationwide, highlighting, “On Friday 31 May 2024. A total of 45,000 litres of PMS in a tanker was seized at Mubi, Adamawa State.

    “On Saturday, 1 June 2024, a total of 45,000 litres of PMS in a tanker was also seized at Mubi, Adamawa, while between Monday, 3 June 2024, and Friday, 7 June 2024, a total of 92,928 litres of PMS in 25 litres of different sizes of jerry cans at Mubi, Song-Wuroboki, Mubi-Sahuda road and Gidan Madara – Sahuda road, in Adamawa state and others in Illela, Sokoto and Agbaragba creek in Mfum border of Cross River State”.

    The CGC further stated that the Service has also recorded significant seizures of 129,185 litres of PMS from unpatriotic individuals attempting to deprive Nigerians of access to fuel and cause unnecessary hardship valued at N90,558,685, adding “A combined diversion of 280,135 litres of PMS of N196,524,075.50 raises serious economic concerns with broader implications on National Security.”

    The CG lamented the unfortunate increase in smuggling of PMS across Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto, Taraba, and Katsina states borders between April and May 2024, and the Service deemed it necessary to collaborate with the NSA to come up with a lasting solution to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the full benefits of fuel price deregulation in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “Between April and May 2024, Borno and Kebbi States recorded 76% and 59% increases in evacuations, ranking among the top three states. On a year-on-year basis (May 2023 and May 2024), Sokoto and Taraba States recorded the most substantial increases in evacuations, with 247% and 234% increases, respectively”, he added.

  • Customs CG To Partner Public Account Committee, Assures Transperency

    Customs CG To Partner Public Account Committee, Assures Transperency

    The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has promised to promote transparency in its financial statements for efficient auditing of accounts.

    The CGC made this known during an appearance before the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, in Abuja.

    According to the CGC, NCS has been using integrated technology to collect revenue for over 20 years, and more than 20 commercial banks are involved in the process.

    He mentioned that the service entered into a contract with these banks and was granted access to a technology platform that allowed them to collect the payments. He further stated that the fund is remitted directly by the banks to the federation accounts.

    Further speaking, the Comptroller General promised to collaborate closely with the Committee, saying, “Compliance is something we take seriously, and we will ensure that if there are any grey areas that need our service to foster efficiency, I am happy to mention that my team and I are prepared and will in the most transparent manner, present statements to the committee.”

    The Chairman of the Public Account Committee (PAC), Bamidele Salami, advised that NCS always provide an audited statement of accounts and adhere to all legal requirements.

  • Customs CG Provides Strategies to meet 2024 Revenue Target

    Customs CG Provides Strategies to meet 2024 Revenue Target

    The Nigeria Customs Service has briefed the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) on its various activities, procedures, and measures aimed at increasing revenue generation, fiscal efficiency, and blocking revenue leakages.

    Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi made this known during a presentation on Wednesday, 24 January 2024, at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission office in Abuja. He emphasized the need to build trust when collaborating with other government agencies to achieve objectives.

    The CGC, pleading for support from the commission and other agencies, revealed that since his appointment in 2023, the service has taken significant steps in revenue recovery and addressing areas of possible revenue leakages.

    He disclosed that there are agencies with legal provisions to stay at the port, and the NCS is actively collaborating with them to streamline processes, ensuring their presence doesn’t hinder trade facilitation.

    However, he clarified that the goal is not to assign blame but to reduce the time and cost of conducting business in ports. “Looking at the target of 5.1 trillion naira, every naira and kobo we can collect, block, remit is very important,” he emphasized.

    “In two weeks, a Time Release Study will be conducted in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and other international partners to obtain a scientific study of clearing cargoes from the port.”

    The CGC also announced the upcoming launch of a revenue recovery exercise initiated in 2023, which recovered over 17 billion naira within four months. He assured that the service would implement lessons learned from the beginning of 2024, particularly strengthening the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Unit.

    Addressing challenges, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade Caroline Niagwan outlined issues contributing to the 2023 shortfall.
    In her paper presentation, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Ekanem Asuquo highlighted NCS’s core functions, the legal framework, and the need to calculate import duties accurately for proper payments.

    The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Alhaji Bello Shehu, emphasized the Commission’s role in monitoring NCS activities. He sought NCS support to recover funds, improve revenue mobilization, block leakages, and advise the administration on measures to increase revenue generation for the Federation.

    In collaboration with the Service, Alhaji Shehu expressed the Commission’s desire to investigate and recover unremitted funds, enhance training and manpower development, reduce non-compliant waivers, and participate in programs promoting revenue mobilization, such as retreats and workshops.