By Jude Nzennaya, Port Harcourt
Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has recorded revenue of N200.585 billion, representing an increase of 72.41 percent compared to 2023 collections amounting N116.289 billion.
Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Mustapha Hashim, made this known while briefing journalists on the activities for 2024.
He the achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication and improvements in the operations at the command, saying: “Compliance of customs regulations is our watch word.”
Hashim noted that the command’s strategic focus on enforcement operations and ensuring compliance with customs regulations has significantly contributed to the increase in revenue, adding that improved monitoring systems, increased patrols and enhanced collaboration with other enforcement agencies played a critical role in curbing smuggling activities and improving revenue.
He gave details of the revenue figures handed down to the command in 2024 to include N184.221 billion in the first quarter of 2024, with an estimated monthly collection of N15.351 billion and was later reviewed upwards to N230.277 billion, with monthly expected collection of N19.189 billion from the second to fourth quarter of the year.
“The annual revenue target, which had a shortfall of about 13.04 percent in collection, was largely attributed to the Federal Government’s food import waiver policy, introduced in July 2024, to mitigate Nigeria’s worsening food crisis.
“The Presidential directive, which ended on December 31, 2024, gave waivers to essential food items such as wheat, maize, and grain, which are the major goods imported through the Command.
“In the area of Export activities, the Command made notable strides in boosting revenue from agricultural products, which is a key indicator to Nigeria’s economic diversification. This focus has increased export facilitation and boosted the Command’s contribution to government revenue,” he said.
Comptroller Hashim also disclosed that the total quantity of cargoes exported in 2024 amounted to 17,352,817 metric tons with FOB value in dollars which stood at $1,452,393,438.00, while the NESS paid in Naira was N2,900,883,557 for both oil and non-oil export.
He disclosed that 289 ships reported to the Area Command in 2024, with import tonnage comprising bulk cargoes such as wheat, frozen fish, salt, oil well equipment, PMS, AGO, Gypsum, bitumen and general cargoes, which amounted to 4,080,654.198 metric tons.
The Controller stated that the duties collected from the bulk cargoes and excise factory contributed to the huge revenue collected at the Command.
While commending all relevant stakeholders operating in the Port, he stressed that the feat could not have been achieved without painstakingly advocating for full compliance of all Customs regulations, by ensuring maximum collection of Customs duties, levies and payment of all unpaid assessment.
He said that with the Command’s focused approach, dedication and continued support of partners and stakeholders, the revenue generation, anti-smuggling and trade facilitation drive for 2025 will be effective adding that the Command will deploy all necessary tools to ensure seamless clearance operations.
