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Nigeria Customs Service generates N52.7bn in Kano, Jigawa in 2023

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By Fatai Kasali

The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Command, has generated N52.7 billion revenue for 2023.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Ibrahim Chana, said this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos. Chana said the revenue represented an increase of 26.4 percent when compared with N41.7 billion collected in 2022.

He noted that the command performed well last year in terms of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling operations when compared with 2022.

According to him, the command achieved voluntary compliance by its stakeholders following regular sensitisation and proactive engagement with the business communities in Kano and Jigawa states.

“Vigorous enforcement actions by men of the command have resulted in several seizures, which contributed in suppression of smuggling in the two states.

“Some of the seizures made were handed over to sister government agencies which the command has been cooperating with in the spirit of inter agency collaboration,” he said.

Chana, however, commended the various organisations for their support to the service. He listed the seizures made last year to include donkey skin, marijuana, expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products which were handed over to the concerned agencies of government.

“If you can recall, a few weeks ago, we had course to invite heads of sister agencies to hand over huge confiscated contraband items to them.

“We handed over 665 pieces of donkey skins to the Northwest Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services, while 450 blocks of Cannabis Sativa was handed over to the State Commander, National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency.

“Also, 1,290 cartons of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals was released to the State Director, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Kassim Ibrahim.

“The continuous synergy and collaboration between our organisation and our esteemed partner agencies exemplify our shared dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all citizens of the country,” he stated.

On trade facilitation, Chana made several visits since assuming leadership of the command to improve overall compliance levels among the various stakeholders engaged in customs trade activities.

He added that these visits were part of a broader strategy to streamline processes and foster a more efficient and transparent trade environment. He noted that they were engaged on wide array of topics including regulatory adherence, accuracy of documentation, and were educated on being efficient in terms of adherence to trade procedures.

On the recent Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Conference held in Lagos, which centred on data analytics, Chana said the initiative on a data driven customs service was highly commendable. He pointed out that this was considering its importance in effective review and planning to streamline customs operations.

Chana said the command deploys data to forecast, analyse, and digest information relating to seizures, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling efforts to improve on its mandate and predict the future.

For the CGC conference theme to cascade down at the command level, there is a need for continuous stakeholder engagement with a view to ensuring compliance and seamless operations.

“Earlier in November, we coordinated a training session for enterprises operating at the Kano Free Trade zone, and there are plans in motion to meet with all of them within the first quarter of 2024, especially members of Kano Market associations and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria,” he stated.

Chana noted that his visit to the Governor of Jigawa, Malam Umar Namadi, in 2023, was primarily focused on the development and advancement of the Maigatari Free Trade Zone within the state.

“I promised the governor an open door policy and promotion of enabling environment for business owners who want to relate with the service.

“The areas of proposals and ideas on various strategies aimed at improving economic prospects, attracting investments, and fostering sustainable growth, with special emphasis on the state’s export potential, will be enhanced from the customs perspective,” he noted.

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Mushin LG Chairman flags off construction of Yusuf Street road, promises solar lighting

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The Mushin Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye on Wednesday flagged off the construction of Yusuf Street road in Papa Ajao.

The project is expected to bring relief to residents and traders in the area and is set to be completed within six months.

According to Bamigboye, the project is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people of Mushin, and he expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to execute the project.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and the local government to ensure the successful completion of the project.

The councillor representing the ward, Ayomide Abioye, expressed his joy and appreciation for the project, stating that it is the longest street in Papa Ajao and will bring immense benefit to the community.

Also, the Baba Oloja of Ladipo International Market, Eze Monday, also commended the Executive Chairman for the project, stating that it will make a significant impact on the development of the area.

The project includes the construction of the road and the installation of solar lighting, which is expected to enhance security and facilitate economic activities in the area.

Residents and traders in the area have been warned not to disturb the contractor or disrupt the project in any way.

Meanwhile, the traders applauded Hon. Bamigboye for demonstrating its commitment to infrastructural development and the welfare of its citizens.

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Giving back to community — Prof Oyedokun speaks on motives

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Lead Facilitator Professor of Accounting & Financial Development Founder OGE, Prof. Godwin Emmanuel Oyedokun, has disclosed that giving back to society community is his motive for pursuing his career.

He made the disclosure in an article titled “My motive for running a free professional diploma course in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation is of several folds.”

He said, “Running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is also motivated by my desire to give back to the community.

“By sharing my expertise and knowledge without any financial barriers, I am helping individuals from diverse backgrounds and financial situations to acquire valuable skills and advance their careers.”

The academic reiterated that the motive for running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is centred around education, skill development, community service, and professional growth.

It is a way to contribute to the accounting profession, address a skill gap, and empower individuals in their pursuit of knowledge and career advancement.

According to him, “Promoting Education and Professional Development to contribute to the growth and development of the accounting profession by providing individuals with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in the specialised field of forensic accounting and fraud investigation.

“By offering this free course, i am enabling aspiring professionals to access valuable education that might otherwise be costly or inaccessible.”

The Don addressing the need for expertise in Forensic Accounting said, “In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for professionals skilled in forensic accounting and fraud investigation due to the rise in financial crimes and fraudulent activities. By offering this free course, I am helping to address this skill gap and aiding in the fight against financial fraud.”

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Airport tolls: Nigeria lost billions under old rules — Keyamo

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed that the Federal Government lost 82 percent which is equivalent to N10 billion in revenue that ought to accrue from airport tollgates under old rules.

Keyamo revealed this to State House correspondents during the week at the end of a two-day meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

The minister lamented that the ministry accumulated 82 percent in the negative from the complimentary e-tags printed by the ministry, noting that 82 percent of the e-tags are given free of charge to VIPs.

He stated, “Let me give you the shocking statistics. The negative figure that we get at the end of the day from the complimentary e-tags is 82 percent, in the negative.

“In other words, where we are supposed to have a 100 per cent contract on the e-costs from these e-tags that we print, it is only 18 per cent that we now end up selling. That is how bad it is. 18 per cent and 82 per cent of these e-tags are given out free of charge to VIPs. So, imagine the loss in my sector, and I ask myself,Which other sector will I go to that they give me anything free?’

“Is it because I’m a VIP that you say that in FCT, I should not pay land charges that you waive it for me? I pay for that sector. I pay for power. Yes, I pay for everything. So, why would anybody now come to my own sector and want to get free passage? Not possible. That is how bad it is.”

He added that free e-tags to the VIPs had in the past led to the loss of billions of naira

“So this has led in the past to loss of billions of naira, not millions, annually. Yet, our airport infrastructure, you know, is decaying. I am helpless. I’m looking for concessionaires. I’m looking for help with decaying infrastructure.

“They will be the first to cry out, these same VIPs – ‘why are the toilets like this? Why are your toilets smelling? Why can’t you do this?’ They are the same people, but they don’t pay for the services. So, if we want improved infrastructure at the airport, we must pay for services,” he said.

The minister lamented that due to the policy of exemption, the ministry makes only about N100 million instead of making about N260 million from a particular airport gate every month.

“I’ll give you another example. In one of the access gates, based on the count of the barrier going up and down, we are supposed to be making N250m or 260 million from that gate every month. That gate, because of exemptions, the return to us is less than N100 million every month,” he added.

To end the loss, the FEC decided that the president, vice president, and other top government functionaries would start paying access fees or the e-tag at all 24 federal airports across the country.

Prior to this development, the president, vice president, and some government officials were exempted from paying access fees at the airports’ gates.

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