… ₦15.8b in excise duties in August
By Stella Odueme
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected ₦277.5 billion in import duties and ₦15.8 billion in excise duties, reflecting its commitment to revenue maximisation in the month of August, 2024.
NCS achieved significant milestones across key areas, including revenue generation, enforcement activities, trade facilitation, and strategic stakeholders’ engagement.
This was disclosed on Thursday during the
Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee
Joint Press Briefing in Abuja.
The outcome made available to journalists by NCS, said that in an effort to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum, the NCS recorded 83 seizures across various commands, including 170,000 liters of PMS, 3,083 bags of foreign rice, 1,014 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 23 vehicles, and other contraband, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦975,066,791.65.
The NCS also intensified its “Operation Whirlwind” (OPWW) to combat the smuggling of petroleum products, especially in border states.
It said that the operation over the months have led to the interception of seven PMS trucks, the sealing of 12 retail outlets, and the seizure of 466,000 liters of PMS and 23 vehicles.
According to the statement, investigations have led to the prosecution of seven suspects, while three marketers have been fined by the NMDPRA, with sealed filling stations transferred for further action.
“In trade facilitation, the NCS made strides through Time Release Studies, Advance ruling, stakeholder engagement, and the commencement of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme benefits for qualified approved operators.
” The AEO initiative, which aligns with global best practices, aims to enhance trade facilitation and bolster Nigeria’s position in the international trading community.”
