Nigeria Customs Generates N2.74 Trillion In Six Months, Processes 620,467 SGDs

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

With a revenue target of N2.54 trillion, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, said it  realized N2.74 trillion for the half year 2024

This is even as it announced the processing of 620,467 Single Goods Declarations, SGD, within the same period under review.

Giving an account of his  stewardship between January and June ,the NCS Comptroller General, CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the N2.74 Trillion generated surpassed the target by 8% ,as well as an of  127%  increase over the N 1.395 Trillion generated within the corresponding period in 2023.

In a press statement issued on Monday, July 29, 2024, by NCS National Spokesperson, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, the CGC attributed the remarkable success to key initiatives such as e-auction platform which he noted generated N1.34 billion and the 90-day duty payment window for uncustomed vehicles which added N4.37 billion to the revenue profile.

These measures he informed, have significantly enhanced transparency, compliance, and efficiency in customs processes .

“The Service intensified its anti-smuggling operations in the first half of 2024, resulting in notable achievements.

“From January to June 2024, the NCS made 2,442 seizures with a Duty paid value of N 25,520,652,942.87 which is 203% higher than the DPV of seizures in the first half of 2023.

“In the second quarter of 2024 the NCS made 1,334 seizures with a DPV of N17,564,384,378 representing a 121% increase over the first quarter of 2024.

“The top items seized include wildlife, vehicles, arms and ammunition, foreign rice, pharmaceuticals and narcotics with 32 suspects in custody.

“Trade facilitation remains a core priority for the NCS. In the first half of 2024, the Service processed 620 ,467 Single Goods Declarations SGDs reflecting a reduction of approximately %39 compared to the same period in 2023 .

“Despite this decline, the NCS has implemented several key initiatives to simply and expedite customs processes .

“These include reinforcement of NCS automation procedures  capacity building programs for officers ,and public-private partnerships to enhance customs clearance efficiency .

“These efforts are crucial for enhancing Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and supporting economic growth” CGC Adeniyi noted .

But despite all the achievements, the CGC acknowledged several challenges within the same period .

Such challenges, according to him, include significant fluctuations in the exchange rate, a lower volume of transactions ,low compliance levels among importers and exporters and periodic downtime

These hiccups, he noted, negatively impacted revenue collection and over all operational efficiency. To address the challenges, and enhance revenue ,Adeniyi said the NCS implemented several strategies including real-time system auditing, post-clearance audits, verification of documents for the PDE-Arrival Assessment Report ensuring compliance with import guidelines, and the implementation of a pilot test for the Authorized Economic Operators AEO scheme.

“Additionally. the NCS has recently introduced the Advanced Ruling System ARS ,a legally binding decision on classification ,valuation and rules of origin before the importation or exportation of goods .

“Other pragmatic measures implemented to increase revenue despite a drop in cargo include establishing a robust framework for dispute resolution ,launch of Operation Whirlwind, reshuffling strategic-level officers and robust stakeholders”, the CGC said.

He commended officers and men of the Service for their dedication, and commitment while also acknowledging the invaluable support and cooperation of all stakeholders to the modest achievements recorded.