Between January and August 2021, Ondo/Ekiti Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) processed the export of 2,233 containers of cocoa beans.
Comptroller of Ondo/Ekiti Area Command, Uche Ngozi made the disclosure on Wednesday during a working visit of the Zonal Coordinator of NCS, Zone A, ACG Modupe Aremu, in Akure, Ondo State
According to Ngozi, the command is an off-dock area, having neither seaport, international airport nor borders.
She explained that revenue was generated from interventions through appraisal of Demand Notice (DN) on vehicles with duty infringement, collection of duty from parcel post and excise, and supervision of cocoa exportation.
Explaining further, She said: “On the assumption, I made it a duty to pay a courtesy visit to all sister agencies in Ondo and Ekiti states respectively.
“From July 5 that I assumed office as the controller, the command recorded a remarkable increase in revenue recovery with the sum of N27,919,502 for July and August against N19,618,387 for same months in 2020, an increase of N8,238,115.”
Ngozi noted that three infant factories emerged as one and had just gotten their Cooperate Affairs Commission approval and was advised on how to apply to NCS to enable them to obtain their excise license.
In another development at the Oyo/Osun Area Command, Comptroller Adamu Abdulkadir explained that the command generated N23 billion from January to August.
“The command generated N10 billion in June, the highest in the command, had 169 seizures and 13 suspects.
“As regards achieving its target, the command enhanced its strategies, set up a task force on excise PMS and mining to ensure all loopholes are closed,” he said.
In her response, Aremu said:“The amount realised was quite remarkable and I believe the command can do better as the ember months approach.
“Shortage of officers is everywhere but with the recruitment done soon, officers will be deployed effectively to commands to boost staff strength.”
At Ogun/Osun, she noted that the excise dragnet would be expanded and urged the controller to do a census to get factories that need to be licensed.
She commended Abdulkadir on his revenue of over N10 billion, adding that they were not expecting less from him due to his antecedent.
“As regards suspects, there is a need to ensure that the case files are well documented and compiled for proper prosecution. nan.”
