The Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a record-breaking income assortment of N50.8 billion in 2024, representing a 50 % enhance in comparison with the N27.9 billion recorded in 2023.
Consolation Ukpanah, the Customs Space Controller, attributed the achievement to a strategic alignment with the Comptroller-Common’s coverage tips of “Session, innovation, and consolidation.”
“This excellent breakthrough was achieved by way of deliberate and concerted efforts,” she stated, highlighting the command’s “all-inclusive methodology” in fostering belief amongst stakeholders to boost compliance with commerce tips.
The command carried out a template for monitoring stakeholder compliance whereas making certain that officers adhered to operational protocols. Based on Ukpanah, this initiative helped to establish and handle income leakages, significantly in excise factories and parcel publish features.
“By way of intelligence sharing and collaboration, we recognized excise factories beforehand not below management and subjected them to round the clock surveillance to make sure acceptable duties had been collected,” she stated.
Parcel publish actions additionally acquired renewed focus, with the command intensifying efforts to make sure correct monitoring and income assortment.
Regardless of the financial challenges of 2024, Ukpanah credited the resilience and dedication of her officers for the command’s success. She famous that each recognized space of income leakage was promptly addressed, making certain all collectable income was secured.
“The interval below overview got here with its justifiable share of challenges, however our officers’ dedication ensured we remained targeted on reaching our objectives,” Ukpanah added.
The command prioritised strengthening relationships with different safety and regulatory businesses in addition to conventional establishments. These collaborations, coupled with intelligence sharing, had been instrumental in reaching the income milestone.
Ukpanah additionally expressed appreciation for compliant merchants and warned non-compliant operators to stick to extant commerce tips or face the complete weight of the regulation.
Wanting forward, the Comptroller has set eyes on exceeding the income goal for 2025, significantly in gentle of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s N49.74 trillion nationwide funds.
“We are going to implement contemporary operational methods to make sure we surpass our targets. The competence and capability of our officers give me confidence in our skill to ship,” she stated.
The Comptroller additionally recognised the contribution of the media in supporting the command’s actions. “The position of the media in nation-building is significant, and your professionalism has been essential to our success,” she famous.
Bethel Olujobi
Bethel is a journalist reporting on migration, and Nigeria’s diaspora relations for BusinessDay. He holds a Bachelor’s diploma in Mass Communication from the College of Jos, and is licensed by Reuters and Google. Drawing from his expertise working with different revered information suppliers, he presents a nuanced and knowledgeable perspective on the complexities of important issues. He’s primarily based in Lagos, Nigeria and infrequently commutes to Abuja.