The Comptroller of Customs in Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr Ben Oramalugo, on Thursday, disclosed that the command generated the sum of N6,335,842,600.28 billion as revenue in May.
Dr Oramalugo made this known at a press briefing held in the Area Command headquarters at Ikolaba area in Ibadan, Oyo State, saying that it was in adherence to the mandate of the security organization.
The generated revenue, when added to the ones made between January and April this year, totaled N30,664,247,939.15 billion, signifying 5.2 percent increase when compared with N29,154,853,722.73 billion generated during the same period 2023.
The Comptroller said that the efforts of the Area Command in educating various stakeholders within its area of Responsibility on the importance of adhering to Customs regulations paid off, as there had been a significant reduction in under-declarations.
In addition, he said that the introduction of advanced technology solutions, such as the Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation Project, had streamlined processes and enhanced transparency.
This, he stated, contributed to the overall increase in revenue generation.
Dr Oramalugo also said that through a stance by the area command against smuggling activities in its jurisdiction, interceptions, and seizures were made between April 17 and June 13 this year.
Commodities seized included 600 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice with duty paid value of N50.28 million; 123 pieces of used tyres worth N15.648 million and 504 wraps of cannabis sativa with duty paid value of N15,814,600 million.
Others were 274 25-litre kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) with duty paid value of N5,521,500 million; a used Mercedes truck worth N30 million and a used Nissan Caravan worth N12.590 million.
Handing over the illicit drugs to the Oyo State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Comptroller Oramalugo said that it was done in the spirit of interagency collaboration.
He also said that the intercepted kegs of petrol would be promptly auctioned due to their inflammable nature.
Reassuring stakeholders of the determination of the area command to continually combat the menace, the Comptroller said that it recognised the implications of smuggling on national security, economic stability, and public health
“Through collaboration with relevant stakeholders, intelligence-driven operations, coupled with enhanced surveillance along our borders and the development of advanced technology, we will continue to demonstrate exemplary professionalism to ensure a safer and more prosperous future for all Nigerians,” he added.
The Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Valentine Uchenna Ene, who received he seized illicit drugs from the Comptroller, expressed appreciation for the good job done by the Customs.
Ene said that it was because of the good relationship and synergy between the two security agencies.
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