Kano/Jigawa command of the Nigeria customs service has recorded increased revenue of over N14.1 billion naira in four months beginning from January, 2022.
The revenue is up by 44.97 percent compared to the over N9.7 billion naira collected in the corresponding period of 2021.
The Comptroller of the command, Muhammed Umar in a media briefing said the feat was achieved through increased dedication of men and officers of the command as well as more facility support, especially patrol vehicles by the Comptroller General Customs.
“This is commendable and it is because men of the command decided to be more dedicated by blocking most areas of leakages” said the Comptroller.
He said the command in the same period seized contraband goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV), of more than N1.966 billion naira.
He explained that Tramadol 225mg, a hard drug, with DPV of over N1.890 billion naira is the highest amongst the prohibited items siezed.
“Also 275 wraps of compressed Indian Hemp were intercepted. Both the Tramadol and India Hemp will be handed over the NDLEA as part of our interagency collaboration,” he added.
Others are 1,593 bags of Foreign Rice, 1,237 Foreign Soap, 151 cartons of Spaghetti, and 131 wraps of second clothes.
He said smuggling is disastrous to the Nigeria economy, urging the perpetrators to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.
“They will soon meet their waterloo because the consequences of smuggling are dire to the economy of the nation”
He called on exporters and importers of goods to increase their patronage of the legal borders in the command as well as the upcoming Kano-Dala Inland Dry port.
He said the move will increase revenue for Kano state as against using ports in Lagos, where the revenue is usually domiciled.
“Over 79 percent of revenue that should be accruing to Kano state is not because most imports and exports are through Lagos ports, where all the Value added Tax, VAT, are collected.
The Lebanese, Indians, Chinese and Nigerian are here in Kano doing business. Let them bring in goods through our legal borders and the upcoming Dala Dry Inland port and we guarantee them fast clearance and delivery,” he added.
He said the command is set to train more of its men and officers to be more combatant and ready to meet emerging challenges.
Outstanding officers and men of the command were also awarded.