Customs CG Provides Strategies for Meeting 2024 Revenue Target

BY FUNMI ALUKO

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 MFR who made above known during a presentation on Wednesday, 24 January 2024, at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission office in Abuja stressed the need to build trust when collaborating with other government agencies in order to achieve set objectives.

While seeking the support of the commission and other agencies, the CGC said that since his appointment in 2023, the service has taken significant steps in revenue recovery and also 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.

He however clarified that the goal is not to assign blame but to reduce the time and cost of conducting businesses in ports; even as he disclosed that the NCS is due to launch the long awaited Time Release Study.

“Looking at the target of N5.1 trillion, every naira and kobo we can collect, block, remit is very important.

“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 N17 billion 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.

Also speaking on challenges, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan outlined issues contributing to the 2023 shortfall.

In addition, 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 revenue collection activities including the 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.

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