Zone ‘A’ Customs commands rake in N5.5 billion daily – ACG 

Segun Oladapo

‘Zone A’ command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it made a whooping N5.5 billion on daily basis from duties and taxes.The Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) in charge of the Zone, Mrs K C  Ekekezie disclosed this during a courtesy call on headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Lagos, yesterday.

The zone A Customs is made up of eleven commands and units.

The Customs boss adduced the huge collection to increase compliance by freight forwarders and officers and men of the Service.

According to her “the role that freight forwarders play in release of goods are  part of every government trade policy formulation. Ease of doing business policy started at Apapa Port March this year is working.

The customs have deployed information Technology (IT) to meet the policy target.

“Today  there is higher compliance with customs regulations in declarations, we make N5.5bn every day because people are beginning to comply. Customs earnings is part of what is used in paying the security agencies too.

“The discipline level we have seen recently. Customs made under the new regime N1trn. Before it was not up to that. With Proper documentation and correct declarations we will achieve higher goals together with you.

“To consolidate on the good work to achieve this, we must adhere to all extent regulations as provided by the government. And this will not be a problem when we put mechanism on place. This will lead to improved national economic system. We must avoid cutting corners and encourage integrity in all levels of the business’

Speaking further, Ekekezie maintained that there is a new regime of discipline in the Service which has led to torrent of officers being sacked in recent time.

She said, “In Nigeria Customs today, several officers are finding their ways out each time we go for management meetings. Officers are being deranked dismissed.

Reacting to complaints from freight forwarders, she stated that artificial delay in cargo clearance from the port would no longer be condoned by the service.

She therefore called on freight forwarders whose cargoes are unnecessarily delayed  to  report such to the zone for immediate action.