NCS: Kastina area command generated N1.1bn in 2023

The Katsina area command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated over N1.132 billion in the 2023 fiscal year.

Mohammed Umar, the command’s controller, spoke on Friday while decorating 30 newly promoted officers in Katsina.

Umar said the success was recorded despite the challenges of banditry and border closure with the neighbouring Niger Republic.

He said the revenue within the period was a shortfall from the 2023 revenue target of N1.304 billion given to the command.

“This figure represents about 87.8 percent of the revenue target issued,” Umar said.

Speaking further on the area’s achievement, Umar said the command ensured compliance with the directive on border closure by strictly adhering to and enforcing the principles guiding the instruction.

“The command, during the period, intercepted 369 contraband, including used vehicles, tyres, second-hand clothing, vegetable oil and foreign parboiled rice, among others,” he said.

“The command made significant progress in fostering synergy with other security agencies for intelligence gathering and improved operations within and outside the border corridors.”

According to Umar, the command has a cordial working relationship with the state government, traditional institutions, and religious leaders.

“We also have good understanding with border communities, and other stakeholders in the trade supply chain, and such would continue to facilitate trade without compromising economic and national security,” he added.

“We could not have achieved this feat without the support of the Comptroller General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi, his management team, officers and men of the command, and other units of the service.”

He also charged the promoted officers to rededicate themselves to work and deliver the service’s constitutional mandate of revenue generation, legitimate trade facilitation, and suppression of smuggling.