The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated a total revenue of ₦23,974,543,014.49 for the 3rd quarter of the year 2024 which reflects a 27.5% increase over the sum of ₦17,377,387,591.90 generated in the corresponding period of 2023.
The Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo who disclosed this to Journalists at the operational headquarters of the Command in Ibadan affirmed that the achivement was as a result of the Command’s commitment to efficient revenue collection through improved compliance, enforcement, and monitoring.
He added that cumulatively, for the period covering January to September 2024, the Command has generated the sum of ₦56,656,828,685.30 which also also reflects a 7.85% increase when compared to the sum of ₦52,206,458,966.50 generated in the corresponding period of January to September 2023.
The Controller emphasized that the significant success recorded in revenue collection is a remarkable achievement despite the current financial strains affecting businesses and citizens alike and could be attributed to streamlined procedures and revenue from excise duty.
Speaking on the Command’s anti-smuggling operations, Comptroller Oramalugo said for the period of August 30th, 2024 to October 29th, 2024 , the Command officers successfully intercepted and seized various contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦755,896,700.00 .
According to him, “the items include: 433 (50Kg) Bags of foreign parboiled rice, 61 Bales and 10 Sacks of second hand clothes, 93 Pieces of used tyres, 49 Sacks weighing 744.9kg of cannabis sativa, 25 Litre Kegs of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) and several fake pharmaceuticals.”
In a bid to achieve it’s prioritized anti-smuggling operations, Comptroller Oramalugo explained that the Command has intensified its efforts in combating smuggling activities within its jurisdiction through curbing Illegal Cross-Border Activities, Intelligence-Driven Operations and Public Engagement and Collaboration.
The Oyo/Osun Area Controller announced that in accordance with the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, of Consolidation, Collaboration and innovation, the Command would be handing over fake pharmaceutical drugs with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦596,856,500.00k to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), as well as 49 sacks of Cannabis Sativa with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦46,935,000.00k to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He expressed gratitude to the CGC and his Management Team for the support that they have continually extended to the Command, to ensure the core mandates of the Service are achieved within Oyo and Osun States.
He also thanked the the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde , Traditional Rulers in both Oyo and Osun States, Sister Security Agencies, Sister Units of the Customs Service, all officers of the Oyo/Osun Area Command for their tireless dedication to duty and other Stakeholders for their continued support and collaboration in making these achievements possible.
Oramalugo urged members of the public to continue supporting the Command’s efforts by providing timely information and cooperating with the Command to combat the challenges posed by smugglers and economic saboteurs.
