Nnadi Unveils TCIP Revenue Target For 2024

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni yesterday disclosed that the command has been given a revenue target of one trillion, one hundred and thirty billion, seven hundred and sixty eight million, fifty one thousand, eight hundred and eighty one naira, twenty nine kobo (N1,130,768,051,881.29) for the fiscal year 2024.

While admitting that the figure is huge, the target driven and result orientated customs chief nonetheless expressed optimism about the revenue administration of the service, noting that the 2024 target is “doable and achievable.”

In his characteristic and pragmatic disposition to call of duty, Comptroller Nnadi said the command under his watch has already commenced action and processes aimed at meeting its revenue obligation for the new year, while calling for the support of all stakeholders to key in positively as part of their contributions to the realization of the revenue projection.

Wearing a completely relaxed and determined mien while addressing the media in his office, the CAC explained that the moment importers and their clearing agents begin on a note of compliance as patriots and are consistent, that would have set the right foundation for achieving any given target; all things being equal.

The summary of the structured collection for the 2024 revenue target for the command is as given below:

Revenue                           Target Amount (NGN)

Annual                                1,130,768,051,881.29

Monthly Average                 94,230,670,990.11

Weekly Average                   21,662,223,216.12

Daily  Average                          4,332,444,643.22

Speaking on the current revenue target and the command’s activities generally, Nnadi said, “In the coming year, 2024, the Command will continue to put in more effort towards better performance and is optimistic that with the content of digitisation of all customs processes and procedures based on the modernization agenda of the Service and the recent introduction of 24 hour work operations and optimization of the non-intrusive technology such as scanners, we would be able to achieve more in our core responsibilities.

“Our projection will include improved performance in the areas of revenue collection, facilitation of legitimate trade, enhance the capacity and skills of officers and men of the Command as we continue to work in line with the CGC’s agenda to Reform, Restructure and Increase Revenue collection.”

Despite the loud expressions regarding the ambitious revenue target, Comptroller Nnadi exuded such confidence, so infectious that his deputies and principal officers also displayed similar air of relaxation many journalists found extremely encouraging.

Speaking on the revenue, Nnadi said, Tin Can Island Port Command starting from this January is expected to collect N94,230,670,990  every month. That also translates to N21,666,223,216 every week. That means on daily basis, officers and men of the command, with the support of our stakeholders, importers and freight forwarders are supposed to collect N4,332,444,643 every day.

“ I agree that this is no mean task, but we can do it. For our officers are men, for our freight forwarders it is a collective responsibility. For those who are jittery, it may sound impossible to collect, but I believe it is doable. Will we never give up. Last year 2023, our monthly target was 66 billion. But from June till December we averaged 76 billion. That means it is doable for us too, if not for the shortfalls we had in the initial time of the year when the economy was wobbling, I believe we have maintained an average of 16 billion all through the year. I want to encourage officers of Tin Can Island Command and our stakeholders that nobody should be scared.

Earlier this morning while we were waiting, we strategized with officers of this command, the senior officers who are expected to go out there and cascade whatever the strategies we have adopted here down the line to their officers and men.

Applying the carrot and stick principle of productivity, Nnadi yet again demonstrated leadership capacity and his understanding of the psychology of the human mind in terms of getting task done effectively and with fine results; driven  by mutual respect, emphasis on rules of engagement and the firm determination to punish infraction, not minding whose ox is gored.

“We have declared that 2024 is the year of stakeholders in Tin Can Island Command. We believe that they are going to reciprocate this gesture designed to raise service delivery by paying appropriate duty, making correct declarations and being generally compliant.”

He also reeled out other essentials the NCS management finds critical for actualizing this year’s revenue forecast, by identifying other important ingredients.

“What are the other things that we intend to do? The service has directed that every command must engage in what the CGC called environmental scan by studying their environment and optimizing the inherent opportunities. It has also said that we are going to attach ourselves to the policy fiscal policy that will be given by Ministry of Finance.

“He has also said that we should engage in robust stakeholder relationship with all our stakeholders and to that effect, we are also going to engage with the National Transportation Committee to conduct a time release study which will  come in the month of February 2024.

“We have also been told by the CGC to optimize our operational preparedness by embracing technological advancement and custom organization. Similarly, he has also directed that technical capacity of every officer must be enhanced. The CGC has also said that he is going to improve the welfare of custom officers. If that is the case, we have been given enough motivation to ensure that this revenue target of 1,130,768,051,881 naira 29 kobo will be collected.”

Parrying questions from journalists, the TCIP Customs boss rejected the tag of taking the customs service through slave driving endeavour, declaring that all revenue activities is as defined by extant laws, with standing reward system to continually motivate officers and men to put in their best.

“Nobody is doing slave driving in the Nigerian Customs Service, it is called revenue target and national service. Yes, it is important that there should be a robust reward system for those that work so hard. Nigerian Custom service have been rewarding officers, some of us have been rewarded. We received awards, you just heard from my citation…I have received award. Some of us have also received commendation letters. You also had me mentioning this DC Admin here received commendation letter, the DC Enforcement there received commendation letter. I have one right now on my table for CSC Imam written by the CGC and personally signed by him.

“But above all some of you are aware that some officers were recently given special promotions. During the last promotion exercise, one of such officers was an officer who was promoted from the rank of Superintendent of Customs to Deputy Controller of Customs as a reward for collecting and recovering  N16 billion for the federal government of Nigeria through Nigerian Custom Service. That means there’s already a reward system for us.”