Between January and May 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara State Command, generated N10,027,580,694.63 in revenue for the Federal Government.
During the period under review, the command also made 21 seizures of different prohibited products with the total duty paid valued at N35.4 million. Faith Ojeifo, Customs Area Controller for Kwara Area Command, said this on Thursday in Ilorin, the state capital, while addressing reporters on the command’s actions over the last six months.
The ceremony also included the donation of relief materials to the state Ministry of Social Development for future distribution to vulnerable members, as well as the delivery of empowerment items to members of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association.
Ojeifo stated that the illicit and forbidden commodities recovered by Customs personnel included 507 sacks of imported rice and 1,055 used tyres, among others. “I’d want to inform you that from January and May 2024, we collected and remitted a total of N10,027,580,694.63.
A comparison of the preceding year 2023 shows that the command collected N2,885,779,644.03, a 40.41% increase over the same period last year.
“During the period under evaluation, I restructured my operations teams, resulting in 21 seizures of various illegal products. These include 507 bags of foreign rice, one used vehicle, 1,055 used tyres, and 164 25-litre PMS jerry cans (4,100 litres total). “The total duty paid value is N35,416,140.”
According to the Area Commander, the donation of relief materials to the ministry reflects the Comptroller-General of Customs’ shared commitment to caring for the needy.
The NCS Kwara State Command provided food goods to the State Ministry of Social Development. On the empowering of COWA members, Ojeifo stated, “We recognise that women are the pillars of our families, communities, and economies.”
They are the ones who raise, teach, and motivate future generations.They look after our children and the home front while we are out executing our jobs of protecting the country’s borders from harmful items such as arms and ammunition, drugs, and other illicit goods. “The empowerment aims to keep you busy, self-dependent and productive while we are far away from home which will no doubt reduce the burden of always waiting on your husbands.
According to Ojeifo, “after months of extensive training of registered wives and widows of Customs officers in different empowerment training programmes such as baking, cosmetics, sewing, and other skills,” the Service plans to begin “empowering about 67 wives and widows of Customs officers with a sewing machine, baking oven and make-up kits.”
Bottom Line
The impressive revenue generation by the Kwara Customs Command, totaling over N10 billion in just five months, showcases effective fiscal management and enforcement capabilities. This significant increase from the previous year highlights the command’s enhanced operational efficiency.
The seizures of prohibited goods, including imported rice and used tires, reflect the command’s vigilance in curbing smuggling and protecting the economy.
Additionally, the charitable initiatives, such as donating relief materials and empowering the wives and widows of Customs officers, demonstrate a commendable commitment to social responsibility and community support.
