Customs eyes over N1tr revenue

The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hammed Alli  (rtd) yesterday reiterated the determination of the service to exceed N1trillion revenue  this year by plugging all leakages and ensuring that the system works perfectly.

He however said the NCS was yet to get its 2016 revenue target from the  Budget Office.

Alli spoke with reporters at 2016 International  Customs Day celebration at the NCS Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

He said: “We have not received the target from the Budget Office yet. But we normally set target for ourselves. We are looking at targeting all we could, blocking all the revenue leakages and making sure that all the systems work perfectly. And hopefully, the policy of government will also be in our favour. We hope to cross the N1trillion mark.”

Alli said the NCS  fund raising method is a factor of trade facilitation that is  based on export and import, adding that he would strive to block leakages and ensure that the system worked perfectly.

He said once that is achieved, the NCS would collect the accurate duty and deposit in the Federal Government vault.

“Ours is dependent on trade facilitation. It is dependent on export and  import. What we will do inward is to be able to re-invigorate our own system, block all the leakages and make sure the system is working perfectly.

“With that, once we get influx of export, import and collect the right duty, we will put it in the coffer of government,” he said.

On assets declaration, Alli noted that the officers of the NCS were already complying. He however vowed to apply the law on officers that refuse to comply with the asset declaration directive.

He said: “I believe my officers are obedient.  And when we get there and they don’t comply, we will apply the law as it is. But for now I am sure they will comply. “

He warned operatives and stakeholders of the service not to abuse the e-customs process.

He insisted that any attempt to compromise the system will not be tolerated.

He said: “In line with the change mantra of the present government, let me therefore remind all operatives and stakeholders alike not to abuse the process and corrupt the system. Any act calculated to distort and compromise the integrity of the e-customs will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate sanctions.

THE NATION