TheCable

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano and Jigawa command, says it generated N52.7 billion in revenue in 2023.

Ibrahim Chana, area controller of the command, in a statement on Thursday, said the revenue represented an increase of 26.4 percent when compared with the N41.7 billion collected in 2022.

He said the command performed well last year in terms of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling operations relative to 2022.

“Vigorous enforcement actions by men of the command have resulted in several seizures, which contributed to the suppression of smuggling in the two states,” the area controller said.

“Some of the seizures made were handed over to sister government agencies which the command has been cooperating with in the spirit of inter agency collaboration.”

Chana said the command achieved voluntary compliance by its stakeholders following regular sensitisation and proactive engagement with the business communities in Kano and Jigawa states.

He commended the various organisations for their support to the service.

The area controller said donkey skin, marijuana, expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products seized last year and handed over to the concerned agencies of government.

“If you can recall, a few weeks ago, we had a course to invite heads of sister agencies to hand over huge confiscated contraband items to them,” he said.

“We handed over 665 pieces of donkey skins to the northwest zonal coordinator, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services, while 450 blocks of cannabis sativa were handed over to the state commander, National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency.

“Also, 1,290 cartons of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals were released to Kassim Ibrahim, state director, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

“The continuous synergy and collaboration between our organisation and our esteemed partner agencies exemplify our shared dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all citizens of the country.”

On trade facilitation, Chana said several visits were made to improve overall compliance levels among the various stakeholders engaged in customs trade activities.

He added that these visits were part of a broader strategy to streamline processes and foster a more efficient and transparent trade environment.

The area controller further said the command deploys data to forecast, analyse, and digest information relating to seizures, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling efforts to improve on its mandate and predict the future.