LAGOS/Nigeria: Comptroller Dera Nnadi, Area Controller of Tincan Island Port Command, announced on Tuesday in Lagos that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has set an ambitious revenue target of N1.13 trillion for the Tincan Island Port Command in 2024. The target, representing 27% of the national goal, reflects the commendable performance of the command in the preceding year.
In a press conference, Comptroller Nnadi revealed that the 2023 revenue target for the command was N801.5 billion, with a remarkable achievement of N716.5 billion, representing 89% of the set target. Encouraged by this success, the Controller General of Customs (CGC) and management have allocated a higher target of N1.13 trillion for 2024.
According to Nnadi, the new target translates to a monthly goal of N94.23 billion, with a weekly target of N21.7 billion. This breaks down to a daily collection expectation of N4.23 billion, a challenging yet surmountable task, as emphasized by the Area Controller.
Highlighting the command’s historical performance, Nnadi pointed out that in 2023, despite a weekly target of N66 billion, the command consistently averaged N76 billion from June to December, instilling confidence that the 2024 target is achievable.
Nnadi urged stakeholders not to be daunted by the set target, assuring them that the committed officers and men of the command, along with the support of stakeholders, would overcome the challenge.
To achieve the set goal, the comptroller outlined the command’s strategies, emphasizing the declaration of 2024 as the “year of stakeholders.” He highlighted the importance of correct declaration, compliance, and collaboration with relevant authorities.
In line with the Customs General’s directives, the command will conduct an environmental scan to optimize opportunities, engage with the ministry of finance, and collaborate with the national trade facilitation committee for a time release study in February.
Furthermore, Nnadi stressed the importance of embracing technological advancements for customs modernization and revealed plans to enhance the technical capacity of officers while improving their welfare.
Describing Nigeria as an import generation economy, Nnadi underscored the commitment to align revenue collection with trade facilitation. He emphasized the need for strategies to ensure the swift clearance of goods at the ports to avoid demurrage.
In closing, Nnadi highlighted the significant increase in export tonnage in 2023, reaching 623,694.7 metric tonnes, marking an 85% improvement from the previous year.
