Reps reject customs’ N1.3trn revenue projection for 2022

The house of representatives committee on finance, on Monday, rejected the N1.33 trillion projected revenue by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for the 2022 financial year.

Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of NCS, disclosed that the agency was projecting the amount as its 2022 revenue during his presentation at the ongoing interactive on the 2022/2024 medium term expenditure framework/ fiscal strategy paper (MTEF/FSP) for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), held in Abuja.

Ali noted that the Customs came up with a figure that was considered realisable while hoping to surpass the target.

“We came up with a figure that is realisable. Then, whatever comes thereafter, it is our hope that we will surpass that. We try to be as realistic as we can in our proposal,” he said.

In their reaction, the lawmakers said the revenue projection was too low.

Leke Abejide, chairman of the house committee on customs and excise, who is also a member of the house committee on finance, described the projection as ridiculous given that the naira has been devalued.

He said that he expected the agency’s proposal to be N2.5 trillion and above.

“This is very ridiculous because now, the naira has been devalued already. So, you will discover that the volume of money you are getting, if you want to get the real value, you will see that it is not a real improvement. So, I expected the proposal to be from 2.5 trillion and above ” Abejide said.

“So, if you look at the value of the naira that’s going down, it needs upward review. So, please take note of the parameters and secondly, the finance act has been passed. There are so many ways we can get revenue now better than last year.”

Muktar Ahmed, another member, said that there was no way the committee would accept anything less than N3 trillion.

In his submission, James Faleke, chairman of the committee, said, “For us as a committee on finance, we will not accept the N1.3 trillion. I am sure that by the time our report comes out, you will be pleasantly happy.”

Meanwhile, the committee summoned Mele Kyari, the group managing director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to appear before it unfailingly on Wednesday.

The lawmakers also summoned Sarki Auwalu, director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Kyari, who was scheduled to address the lawmakers on revenue generation on Monday, sent the corporation ’s group general manager, corporate planning and strategy, to represent him.

However, members of the committee expressed their displeasure at Kyari’s non-appearance.

Abejide said he was flabbergasted by how how the NNPC GMD treats the national assembly.

He said Kyari’s behaviour was demeaning to the parliament and shouldn’t be tolerated.

“We are talking about how Nigeria can progress, solve the issue of taking loans, he’s supposed to give us the figure himself not send a representation. I suggest we excuse this representative and allow the GMD himself to appear before us,” Abejide said.