Customs makes N1tr, extends private jet owners’ verification by 14 days

Public Relations Officer, NCS, Joseph Attah

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday, said it made and remitted N1.004 trillion into Federal Government’s coffers in the first six months of the year.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Deputy Controller Joseph Attah, who made the disclosure in the organisation’s half-year report, said the scorecard was significantly higher than the N713.55 billion realised in the corresponding period of 2020.

He admitted that the tripartite agreement struck with Benin and Niger republics immensely checked cross-border crimes.

As proof, Attah said 2,333 seizures were made within the period under review, resulting in Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N4.42 billion.

Some of the confiscated items, according to him, included arms and ammunition, illicit drugs and food items like rice and vegetable oil that could have endangered national security and the economy.

The spokesman attributed the feat to the “resolute pursuit of what is right and willingness to adapt to changes brought about by global health challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He restated the agency’s commitment to overshoot revenue targets amid favourable environment.

“NCS will always be willing and happy to break its records as it is in this case of over N1 trillion in six months,” Attah stated.

FOLLOWING the need to capture more Nigerians after the organisation had verified 58 private aircraft owners, the PRO announced extension of the exercise by 14 days.

Scheduled earlier to run from June 7 to July 6, the verification is now to terminate on July 20. He said observed infractions comprised “breach of Temporary Importation agreement and non-appropriate payment of duty and taxes.”

Attah confirmed that defaulters had “indicated interest to pay, with some already commencing the process by making appropriate declarations.”

The spokesperson vowed that the appropriate sanctions captured in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004 (as amended) would apply at the expiration of the grace period.