By Helen Udoh, Outlook Media ABUJA.
The Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt Area I Command, has announced the collection of a total sum of ₦17,065,088,480.16 in January 2024. According to a document released to newsmen on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Comptroller Mustapha Hashim, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, stated that this figure signifies a remarkable surplus of ₦8,157,866,418.27 compared to January 2023, which stood at ₦8,907,222,061.89.
In the statement, Comptroller Hashim revealed that the January revenue exceeded the mandated monthly revenue target of the Command by ₦1,713,277,636.7, set at ₦15,351,810,843.46.
“The revenue for this month is generated from import duties collected on various bulk cargoes with a total metric tonne of 421,899,302,” the CAC noted.
Highlighting the Command’s efforts to create a conducive business environment, Comptroller Hashim mentioned ongoing sensitization programs to educate traders on the Federal Government’s trade policies. The Command is also actively engaging stakeholders, targeting importers and exporters in the region.
He outlined the annual revenue target for the Command at ₦184,221,730,121.48, representing 4.52 percent of the Service’s yearly target.
Comptroller Hashim expressed optimism about meeting the task and issued a stern warning against any form of smuggling through the Port.
He, however, expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his management team for their support in providing an enabling environment to strive. “We thank the CGC for his support, especially the ongoing training of officers and men of the command, which has impacted this revenue collection for January,” he concluded.
