Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reported revenue collections in the first quarter of this year totalling N303.9 billion, representing about N177.1 billion above the N126.9 billion it raked in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
Available statistics on the Command’s revenue profile for the quarter under review based on a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Okwara, showed that the collections surpassed the N282.69 million target set for it in the quarter by 139%.
The data also reflected that the Command also handled a total of 251,679.89 metric tonnes of non-oil exports as against the 145, 906.33 metric tonnes handled in the comparative period of 2023, representing a growth rate of 95.3%.
A monthly breakdown of the Command’s revenue figures indicated that it raked in a total of ₦88.43 billion in January 2024, representing a 107.9% increase when compared to the 42.53 billion it generated in January 2023.
In the month of February 2024, the Command generated N100.39 billion, representing 141.8% higher than the N41.51 billion it collected in the same month of 2023 while it also recorded N115.10 billion in March this year, which represents a growth rate of 163.9% when compared to the N42.80 billion collected in March 2023.
Also, a breakdown of its export figures in the period under review showed that in addition to growing export volumes by 95.3%, the Command also increased its Free On Board (FOB) value of the export non-oil products from N80.99 billion in Q1 2023 to N287.79 billion by over 300%.
The non-oil exports shipped through the command during the period under review cover mostly agriculture and allied produce including Coca-Butter, Cocoa Beans, Cashew Nuts etc.
On enforcement and anti-smuggling activities, the Command seized a total of 57 packets of heroine weighing 56.390kg with a street value of N902.24 million, 3.612 packets of Colorado Indica, weighing 956.772kg with a street value of N4.06 million.
Commenting on the Command’s performance, the Comptroller said: “I sincerely wish to congratulate officers and men of the command for embracing service delivery for our stakeholders and for teamwork which resulted to the Area Command surpassing its first quarter revenue target for 2024 by N177.1billion. All efforts put in place by all units within the Area Command for this success recorded are highly appreciated.
“The Command’s enforcement and anti-smuggling unit has not relented in its efforts to combat snuggling and all forms of criminality. Customs being the lead agency at the seaports, through its Enforcement Unit has coordinated several 100 per cent physical examination under my supervision in collaboration with critical stakeholders to ensure that the command is freed of any forms of non-compliance in line with the international trade cycle.
“Going forward, the Area Command will continue to put in more efforts towards better performance. We are optimistic that with the content of digitalisation of all Customs processes and procedures based on the modernization agenda of the service, we will achieve more in our responsibilities”, Nnadi added.
He commended the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management team for their relentless and continuous efforts towards strengthening the capacity of the Service and introducing innovative methods to perform its statutory mandate in line with international best practices.
It would be recalled that the Command was given a revenue target of N1.13 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year.
