Customs FOU ganerates N19 billion into govt coffers
By Abimbola Abdullahi
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated about N19 billion into the Federal Government’s coffers between in the last nine months, even as its restates commitment to blocking revenue leakages and combat smuggling.
The Ag. Controller, of FOU, Zone ‘A’, Deputy Comptroller Usman Yahaya, said his officers were resolute to compliment the area commands to ensure that revenue accruable to the Federal Government is not lost to desperate and unpatriotic smugglers through their sharp practices.
Yahaya, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, FOU Zone ‘A’, Theophilus Duniya, said his team are strongly determined to block all revenue leakages, smuggling of illicit and prohibited goods in the interest of the country.
He said from January to September 2020, the Unit increased the Federal Government’s revenue with the sum of N1.6 billion as revenue from demand notices (DN) raised on cargoes for either being under declared, wrongly classified or falsely declared, while 117 units of vehicles and general goods were seized for various offences worth a Duty Paid Value of N17.4, totaling about N19 billion.
“The Unit had in the past intercepted containers laden with pump action rifles, tramadol drugs and smuggled cannabis among other dangerous substances and goods that would have succeeded in getting into wrong hands. We remain resolute at enforcing the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of all prohibited goods into the country; especially now that the land borders are closed,” he said.
The FOU boss urged importers to make proper declarations and ensure compliance with the extant clearance procedure.
He however, warned smugglers to desist from sabotaging the nation’s economy through their nefarious activities.
“We shall remain firm and resolute in discharging our duties in accordance with the extant laws without fears or intimidation. Support and facilitate legitimate compliant traders to succeed in their businesses. While we continue to thank our esteemed stakeholders and patriotic citizens for their unflinching support, we solicit for useful and timely information to serve our nation better,” he stated.
