TheCable

Adewale Adeniyi, acting comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says the agency generated N200 billion monthly in the first half of 2023 despite “uncertainty”.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday to commemorate 100 days in office, Adeniyi said July and August saw an increase to N343 billion per month.

The acting CG said uncertainties such as the naira redesign policy and elections affected optimal generation of revenue.

Speaking on revenue targets for the service, he said: “It is in the region of N3.6 trillion. That was the target that was set for us and it translates to about N307 billion per month. If we collect N307 billion per month and we do that consistently for 12 months we hope to realise that target”.

“We are all witnesses to what happened in the first half of the year, the uncertainty, the currency swap, the elections,” Adeniyi said.

“During the first half of the year, we were practically struggling with just a little over N200 billion per month. Between July and August, we have renewed our strategies and it has been made better.

“It is now at an average of N343 billion and if we maintain this momentum, we will at least cover the shortfalls we recorded in the first half of the year.”

Adeniyi said in the past eight months, the fight against smuggling has been “impressive”.

“With a total of 1,763 seizures, valuing a substantial N11.9 billion in duty paid value, we have successfully intercepted various contraband items, including arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, substandard pharmaceuticals, and other prohibited goods that pose grave risks to our citizens,” he said.

“These seizures, accompanied by the apprehension of 62 suspects undergoing legal procedures, underscore our commitment to tackling smuggling and safeguarding our communities.”

Adeniyi added that the service is on the verge of introducing technology to support its enforcement strategies at the borders.