The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday, disclosed that it has surpassed its 2017 revenue target of ₦1.2 trillion by ₦10 billion as at December 1.
Spokesman of Customs, Joseph Attah, who disclosed this to Daily Sun on phone said the feat was achieved by hardwork, dedication and determination of officers of the service. Daily Sun findings reveal that this will be the first time in the last four to five years that the Service will meet it revenue target, let alone surpassing it.
Attah assured the NCS will not rest on its oars despite the feat achieved, stressing that the Comptroller General, Hameed Ali, had asked the officers to aim for higher goals. In 2016, the Customs revenue target was ₦937 billion but it was only able to net ₦898 billion; while in 2015, the Service’s target was ₦954 billion but it only collected ₦903 billion. In 2014, Customs’ target was ₦1.2 trillion but it collected ₦977.09 billion.
Commenting on the development, Attah said: “We are doing well so far and we’ve surpassed our target. The CGC has zero tolerance for corruption and other actions that damage the reputation of the Service.
On Customs’ preparations to tackle smugglers whose nefarious activities peak during the yuletide season, Attah said: “there is no respite for them. We will square up against them nationwide.
“No area will be left vulnerable. This is about the security of the country and economic interest of Nigerians. Smugglers are saboteurs and must be treated as such”, he said.