Nigeria Customs Service Port Harcourt Generates Record Revenue of N17 Billion in January 2024
By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Nigeria Customs Service Area 1 Command in Port Harcourt has announced a record-breaking revenue collection for the month of January 2024, totaling N17.065,088,480.16 Naira. This remarkable achievement was disclosed in a press release issued on Friday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Oscar Ivara, in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state.
According to the statement, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mustapha Hashim, lauded the significant surplus of N8,157,866,418.27 compared to January 2023, highlighting a substantial increase from N8,907,222,061.89 to the current figure. He emphasized that this surplus also surpassed the mandated monthly revenue target of N15,351,810,843.46 by N1,713,277,636.7.
The increased revenue, as explained by Comptroller Hashim, was largely attributed to import duties collected on a variety of bulk cargo imported through the port. These cargoes, comprising Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Bitumen, Salt, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Sugar, Frozen Fish, and others, amounted to a total metric tonnage of 421,899,302.
In his commitment to fostering a conducive business environment, the Area Controller highlighted ongoing sensitization programs aimed at educating traders on federal trade policies. Additionally, efforts are underway to engage stakeholders, particularly importers and exporters in the region.
Comptroller Hashim also provided insight into the Command’s annual revenue target, set at N184,221,730,121.48. This figure represents 4.52 percent of the annual target of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Expressing gratitude for the achievement, Hashim credited the support from the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team. He particularly acknowledged the impact of ongoing training programs on officers and men, which he believes contributed significantly to the January 2024 revenue generation.
However, alongside the celebration of success, Hashim issued a stern warning against illicit trade activities, vowing zero tolerance for smuggling through the port. He assured that the vigilant efforts of his officers and men are poised to apprehend perpetrators.
With optimism, Comptroller Hashim affirmed the Command’s readiness to meet its annual revenue target, signaling a determination to uphold standards and combat illicit trade practices within the jurisdiction.
