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N3trn revenue target: People will cry when we force them to pay Customs duty—- CGC Ali declares

CGC, Ali
—-asks NASS to ignore such protest
Eyewitness reporter
The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali(Rtd) has declared that Customs will be hard on importers and clearing agents who are supposed to pay customs duty in a bid to collect maximum revenue this year.
The Customs lord, who appeared on Monday before the House of Representatives Committee on Customs to defend the 2022 budget of the agency, said that the hard stance of customs officers in revenue generation this year may elicit “cries” from the trading public.
Ali however pleaded with the committee to play deaf to such “cries” of protest when they come.
“We are going to do everything. I am sure Mr. Chairman, very soon you will begin to hear some cries, but it is in the line of our duty because we will force those who are supposed to pay.
” They must pay to this country. Our job is to collect and ensure that over 200 million people benefit from that fund.
” When you get those cries, Mr. Chairman, please close your ears because we are doing our job.” the Customs Czar declared.
He said Customs officers will not close their eyes to any minutest infraction by importers and agents, which could result in revenue loss to the government.
Ali, who explained to the Committee members the means by which the Customs will generate the humongous sum of N3. 019 trillion revenue projection for the year, said necessary measures have been put in place to enable the service realise the target.

“The post-clearance audit and systems audit units of the service, which were created to uncover illicit financial activities, are expected to contribute maximally in the service’s quest for improved revenue generation in the year 2022.

“This year 2022, because of the target, we will not close our eyes to any minutest infraction that brings about revenue default.

He further told the lawmakers that the e-customs project, which will help to improve revenue collection, is billed for implementation within the year.

“One of the key focuses of the service in the 2022 fiscal year is the full implementation of its operations.

” The e-customs project would also include the automation of Customs agency licences, vehicle identification number (VIN), etc, are expected to encourage and enhance the general performance of the service,” he said.

On tackling smuggling, the Customs boss said efforts are underway to make the act difficult for perpetrators.

“Three functional mobile scanners have already been installed at different Customs locations. This would translate to effective trade facilitation and enhance revenue generation in 2022.

“Subsequent to the purchase and deployment of operational vehicles, two sea-going vessels and 18 patrol boats across Customs’ formations would enhance the suppression of smuggling activities across difficult terrain and improve on the service revenue’s generation,” he added.

The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise however approved the sum of N369 billion as the 2022 budget for the service to take care of overhead costs like salaries and emoluments of officers.

The Chairman of the committee, Leke Abejide, commended the NCS for exceeding its N1.678 trillion 2021 revenue target and charged it to do more in 2022.

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Customs

Exclusive! Mass retirement hits Customs as 549 officers bow out of service in 2023

CGC, Ali

 

Break down; DCG( I), ACG (6),Comptrollers(30), DC(68) AC (110),CSC(133),SC (52),DSC(79) ,ASC1(58) ,ASC11(11),CA1(1)

Eyewitness reporter

A whirlwind  of retirement has hit the Nigeria Customs Service as 549 officers of different cadres have been penciled down for statutory retirement in 2023,

In a circular no HRD/2022/13 sighted by our reporter, the breakdown of the affected officers shows that 1 DCG, 6 ACG, 30 Comptrollers, 68 Deputy Comptrollers, 110 Assistant Comptrollers, 133 Chief Superintendent of Customs, 52 Superintendent of Customs, 79 Deputy Superintendents, 58 Assistant Superintendent of Customs1, 11 Assistant Superintendent of CustomsII and 1 Customs AssistantI, were due for retirement in 2023.

According to the circular dated May 10th, 2022 with reference number NCS/ADM/EST/098/S.1 and signed by OM Agbara, Comptroller of Establishment for AG. Deputy Comptroller-General (HDR), the affected officers, who are being shipped out of the service on account of age or number of years in the service, are advised to proceed on three months pre-retirement leave, three months to the effective date of their retirement.

The circular titled list of Officers/men for statutory retirement in the year 2023” reads

”I am directed to forward the attached list on the above subject matter as pre-retirement notice to all affected officers.
” ln accordance with the Public service Rule (PSR) No. 100238 and Federal Government circular No.63216/S.i/X/T; CR 1,/2OO1/5 of 2O/O3/2OOl, all affected officers due for retirement in 2023 are to disengage from the active service and proceed on three (3)months pre-retirement leave, three months to the effective date of retirement.
” AII affected officers are to ensure compliance and forward their three months pre-retirement notice to the Comptroller-General
accordingly.
” Any observed error, omission, or legitimate complaints should be forwarded to the office of the Comptroller General of Customs through the Ag. Deputy Comptroller-General (HRD) on or before 30th June 2022.
” Zonal Coordinators, Area Controllers, and Unit Heads are requested to make the list available for circulation to all the affected officers in their respective Zones, Areas, and Units
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Customs

Customs High Command interdicts officers over assault on Gov. Okonwa’s aide

Eyewitness reporter
The management of the Nigeria Customs Service has reacted to the viral video where a member of the roving team of the FOU Zone ‘C’ assaulted an unarmed civilian.
In the press statement signed by Timi Bomodi, the National Public Relations Officer of the service, the Customs High Command expressed outrage over the conduct of its officer and said the offending officer and other members of his team have been withdrawn from their patrol duties and placed under administrative investigation.
“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service has been drawn to a video making the rounds on social media.
“In it, one of our officers was recorded assaulting an unarmed civilian.
“This action took place on the Benin – Agbor expressway on Saturday the 7th of May 2022 at about 5.00 pm.
“This officer and other members of that team from FOU Zone ‘C’ have since been withdrawn from patrol duties and are currently under administrative investigation at the NCS Zonal Headquarters Zone ‘C’ Port Harcourt.
“Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have been trained to carry out their duties with dignity and respect, and are expected to display decorum in all their conduct at all times.
“Where they fail to carry out their brief as assigned, appropriate sanctions are applied to enforce discipline.
” The NCS would like to reassure the general public of its commitment to the welfare and safety of all citizens and frowns seriously at any act by its personnel capable of misrepresenting its corporate image.
“We ask that all law-abiding persons go about their activities without fear of intimidation or harassment as we work assiduously to bring closure to this unwholesome incident” the statement concluded.
In the viral video which has sparked public outrage, a Customs Officer attached to the roving team of the Custom’s FOU Zone C, was seen slapping a civilian identified as Samson Nwachukwu,  an aide to the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okonwa, along Benin/ Agbor expressway Saturday, May 7th, 2022.
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Customs

Drama as Customs officer slaps Gov Okowa’s aide along Benin/Agbor expressway (Video)

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