The Nigerian Customs Service, Onne Area Command, has generated more than N220 billion in 2022, and is targeting N360 billion in 2023.
The command’s controller, Auwal Muhammad, stated this during an engagement with the Business and Maritime Writers Association of Nigeria (BUMWAN) on Wednesday in Onne, Rivers.
Muhammad noted that the command has successfully established a huge revenue record which it would continue to improve on.
“Next year may be more challenging because if you set a high record for yourself, it’s expected that you maintain that standard and also to improve on your records.
“So with our achievements so far this year, we know that next year is not going to be easy but we are proactive and ready to do better.
“We will further restrategise, look back at our experiences in 2022, what lead to our success or setbacks and then fine-tune our system of operations.
”So, within any of the month next year, we will be aspiring for as much as over N30 billion revenue,” he said.
Muhammad also reaffirmed a zero tolerance for corruption and smuggling while also charging officers to more effective in line with the aims of the management and the extant laws.
Attributing the command’s success to a robust synergy with stakeholders, he noted that the symbiotic relationship has proven beneficial and also added value to revenue generation.
“We engage quarterly with the licensed agents, importers and our terminal operators, we brainstorm and also make them understand the rudiments of seamless ports operations and proper declaration of consignments and this regular interface has helped us a lot,” he added.
Earlier, Vice President of BUMWAN, Mr Tony Nzekwe, applauded the Comptroller for initiating an all-inclusive policy which has encouraged on -the -job training and ITC compliance for officers.
Nzekwe also noted that that regular interface with stakeholders has provided timely enlightenment on the ease of doing business at the Onne port.
