Customs Plans Fresh Recruitment To Tackle Smuggling, Others As CG Defends N706.4bn Budget

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has defended its N706.43bn budget for the 2024 fiscal year to the Nigeria Senate Committee on Customs at the National Assembly.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi presented the budget, pledging to surpass the revenue target of N5.079trn in 2024.

The 2024 revenue target, according to Service is 27.75 per cent higher than the target of 2023.

To achieve it, the CGC said, the Service plans to implement the National Single Window championed by the Federal Ministry of Finance, which modernizes, automates and ensures the electronic transmission of information and data across payment stakeholders.

The initiative is also a strategic move to bolster Customs revenue, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

The Customs boss harps on strategies to standardise Customs processes, port decongestion, collaboration with other agencies for efficiency and competitiveness, anti-smuggling operations, integrating ICT into operations, investing in capacity building, and stakeholder engagement, among others.

The CG also emphasised supporting local production and taking food security seriously.

He said, “We intend to grant waivers to vehicle owners to pay duties within a specific time to avoid sanctions and to regularize the importation of vehicles through payment of duties.”

The CGC during his presentation, revealed that the Service will focus on consolidating carried-over projects, increasing staff welfare by improving and motivating officers’ performance, and integrating technologies into Customs processes.

Regarding Officers’ welfare, CG Adeniyi added that officers will be encouraged in various ways to increase efficiency and improve their well-being.

He said this would be done through awards, promotions, and payment of allowances.

“The service plans to recruit 1,600 personnel in 2024. The low figure is due to the small vacancies we have available.

“These vacancies are primarily for junior staff who will carry out Customs operations and guard duties. In subsequent years, more recruitment exercises will be carried out.”

Bashir, however, noted that the Service had a shortfall by 12.62 per cent in its 2023 revenue target, citing concessions in section 99 of the Common External Tariff (CET), import duty exemption certificates, cash crunch, general elections, and other factors affecting revenue generation negatively.

He assured of a positive outcome in 2024.

Reacting to the presentation, Senator Isa Jibrin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, applauded the CG for the progress and success achieved in his brief tenure in Office.

He beckoned on him to perform better as the house will support him in remuneration and infrastructure to meet the 2024 target.