The Nigeria Customs Service, Area II Command, Onne Port, Rivers State, has recorded an unprecedented, historical milestone in the area of revenue generation.
However, an overwhelming daily revenue collection of twenty two billion, one hundred and eighty four million, eight hundred and ninety nine thousand, five hundred and eight naira (₦22,184,899,508.00) in a single day was recorded as against over two billion naira daily ever collection in the past, according to a Press Release made available to the media by CPRO of the Command, Lomba Benjamin,
Chief Superintendent of Customs.
In the same vein, an unprecedented monthly revenue of fifty billion, eight hundred and sixty three million, fifty three thousand, nine hundred and forty five naira, fifty four kobo (₦50,863,053,945.54), was equally recorded in the month of February 2024 as against forty billion, two hundred and ninety million, seven hundred and fifty five thousand, five hundred and sixty naira, ninety six kobo (₦40,290,755,560.96), ever generated in previous months and years.
Furthermore, a total of one hundred and twenty four billion, six hundred and fifty two million, seven hundred and twenty eight thousand, one hundred and eighty seven naira, fifty kobo (₦124,652,728,187.50) was generated in forty nine (49) working days in 2024, that is January, February and Five (5) working days of March which has beaten the total figure of one hundred and eighteen billion, one hundred and seventy million, seventy two thousand, four hundred and fifteen naira fifty six kobo (₦118,170,072,415.56), released from January to June (six months) in the year 2023.
Acknowledging the revenue boost, the Customs Area Comptroller Comptroller, Baba Imam said that the revenue generated this year has broken four records in the Command.
According to Comptr. Imam: “In February alone, firstly, it is the highest revenue generated in the history of Area 2 Command so far and the highest revenue generated in a single month. Secondly the figure of February surpasses the monthly revenue target given to the Command. Thirdly, the daily collection made on the 7th of March is the highest revenue generated in a single day. Lastly the total revenue of forty nine (49) working days in 2024 together, is above six month revenue collected between January to June 2023.
“The Command surpassed its daily target of one billion, eight hundred and ninety five million, eight hundred and sixty two thousand, seven hundred and nine naira, forty six kobo (₦1,895,862,709.46), by over 1000% which is the first in the history of daily collections in the Command.
“The revenue milestone of February 2024 represents 23.3% increase above the Command’s monthly revenue target of Forty one billion, two hundred and thirty five million, thirteen thousand, nine hundred and thirty naira, eighty four kobo (₦41,235,013,930.84).
“When compared to the same period in February 2023 where the command generated seventeen billion, nine hundred and eighty million, one hundred and twenty seven thousand, three hundred and seventeen naira, six kobo (₦17,980,127,317.06), this figure represents an increase of 183%.
“This figure represents the highest revenue to be collected in the history of Area 2 Command as it surpasses the revenue collected in January 2024 of forty billion, two hundred and ninety million, seven hundred and fifty five thousand, five hundred and sixty naira, ninety six kobo (₦40,290,755,560.96) and October 2023 of thirty eight billion, thirty nine million, seven hundred and sixty four thousand, three hundred and twenty seven naira, forty nine kobo (₦38,039,764,327.49).” Comptr. Iman stated.
Speaking further, the Area Controller said: “This feat was achieved via constant stakeholders engagements, zero tolerance to revenue leakages, synergy, intelligence sharing, and we have consistently made it clear that the Command welcomes only compliant traders who are willing to operate in accordance with the laid down extant laws and guidelines of importation and exportation.
“The Command is optimistic and deploying various strategies to ensure that this trend continues in order to also surpass not only the monthly target, but equally surpass the target for the year 2024 of four hundred and ninety four billion, eight hundred and twenty million, one hundred and sixty seven thousand, one hundred and seventy naira, seven kobo (₦494,820,167,170.07).”
In addition, the Area Comptroller said that It was worthy to mention the fact that the Command before now, has been having weekly sporting activities and in February this year it came to the notice of the Management of Customs, and in particular, the Comptroller General of Customs.
The Comptroller further disclosed that the performance of the Command in the areas of revenue generation and collection, made the Command to receive a Commendation Letter, to attest to her sporting activities and aligning to the CGC’s work-life balance initiative.
The Area Comptroller however, advised other Commands that are yet to come on broad, to follow suit, for the betterment of every individual working in those area commands, so that officers can be fit, physically and mentally balance to discharge their assigned responsibilities effectively.
