Onne Customs meets 93 per cent of 2023 N336 billion revenue target, generates N313bn

By Abiodun OBA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Onne, Area 11 Command in Rivers, met 93 per cent of its 2023 target by generating N313 billion.

Mr Baba Imam, Comptroller of the Command, announced this on Friday while commemorating the World Customs Day at the command’s cooperate office in Onne, Rivers.

Baba said out of its N336 billion target, the command realised N313 billion, representing more than N71 billion increase over its 2022 revenue as at Dec. 31, 2023.

The year’s theme – Customs engaging traditional and new partners with purpose – had offered an opportunity for the agency to further educate stakeholders.

Imam also said that the event provided a platform to educate partners on their various roles towards enhancing successful operations of the organisation.

“There can neither be efficient customs service nor effective trade facilitation without engaging our partners whose contributions are crucial to our achievements.

“Customs cannot operate in isolation, hence, the theme for this year’s celebration; the theme stresses the need for interagency and interdepartmental collaboration in the successful delivery of the customs service,” the Comptroller said.

He also assured on leveraging on the policy driven leadership of the country’s Controller-General, Mr Bashir Adeniyi.

Imam testified that Adeniyi was committed to ensuring consistency of stakeholders’ engagements and the sustainability of such engagements.

He noted that such engagements had, overtime the time, continued to create serene business environment devoid of rancour as well as erasing circumstances that could impede smooth global trade.

The significance of the International Customs Day celebration which had been commemorated on Jan. 26, since 1983 includes promoting awareness, recognising customs officials, enhancing cooperation, highlighting challenges/priorities and straightening trade facilitation by the customs organisation.

Highlights of the event were remarks from the various agencies and stakeholders at the command.