CAC Tin Can, Compt. Bashar Yusuf

The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has generated whopping revenue of N130billion for the first half of the 2017 fiscal year covering January-June despite the sharp decline in cargo volumes occasioned by the economic recession in the country.

It is believed that the volume of imported cargo into the country has declined in the last two years by more than 50 per cent due to the dwindling economic fortunes and discriminatory foreign exchange policy of the Federal Government, which excluded some items of import including raw materials from accessing foreign exchange through the official market, which has lower rates.

A statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Uche Ejesieme says that the command collected a total of N130billion revenue between January and June, 2017, which covers import duty and other fees collected on behalf of government agencies.

Details of the revenue chart shows that a total of N19.8billion was collected in the month of January while N21billion was collected in the month of February.

Other details also show that the revenue profile declined marginally in March with the collection of N20.9billion when compared to the February figures, which further dipped to N20.3billion in the month of April.

The chart also shows that the command collected the highest revenue for the period in the month of June, which peaked at N23.97billion followed by May when it collected a total of N23.87billion, bringing to a grand total of N130billion for the first half of the year.

The PRO, while commenting on the impressive revenue collection despite the economic downturn, attributed it to the leadership style of the Controller in charge of the command, Comptroller Bashar Yusuf, who he said has brought his multiple competencies, especially computer expertise to bear on revenue generation in the command.

According to him, apart from the automation of the revenue processes under the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report PAAR regime, the CAC has truly taken the automation of the command to a higher level, which makes it possible for him to monitor revenue collection from all the units of the command from the comfort of his office.

He also disclosed that the CAC on assumption of duty embarked on a massive training and retraining of examination and releasing officers to sharpen their reflexes.

These developments gave rise to several seizures by the command including arms, cocaine in large quantities as well as the well celebrated seizure of Egusi Soup imported from India, among several others.

It was in recognition of these exceptional seizures at various times that the Comptroller General of the service Col. Hameed Ali rtd. personally wrote the command four letters of commendation within two months, which is unprecedented in the history of the entire service.

The PRO assured that the command would not rest on its oars in core mandates, especially in ensuring that maximum collection of all collectible revenue, checking smuggling and trade facilitation.

Recall that following its impressive performance in the past, the command had given itself a revenue target of N1billion daily for the 2017 fiscal year, which it has kept fate with given its performance so far.