The Nigeria Customs Services,  Kwara area Command said it has generated the sum of N1,696,018,694.74 in first quarter of year 2020.

This contained in the Command quarterly report that was signed and made available to newsmen in the state  by its Public Relations Officer, Chado Zakari on behalf of the Area Comptroller, Ahmed Hussaini Bello.

The figure, according to the statement, represents 21% of the Command’s annual target of N8,038,000,000.

Ahmed explained that the fund was generated despite the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of first quarter 2020 which practically stalled revenue generation across the country.

While giving the monthly breakdown of the fund generated, Ahmed disclosed that the sum of N1,006,901,647.42. was realized in January, N332,272,223.68 in February while a total of N356,844,823.64 was generated in March making it a total sum of N1, 696,018,694.74 in period under review.

“This bring the total amount of revenue generated by the Command since its creation to N4,100,336,737.22”, he disclosed.

According to the him, within the first quarter, the Command has also recorded 54 seizures with duty paid Value (DPV) of N282,198,292.00.

He revealed further that 21 units of vehicles of various types, 1,159 Bags of foreign Par Boiled Rice (50kg each), 737 Jerry Cans of Petroleum Product, 20 Jerry Cans of Vegetable (25 liters each), 48 Sacks of 3,593Kg of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), 3 different seizures of Narcotics and 9 Used Pneumatics Tyres were also seized.

The Kwara area Controller said seizures were successfully accomplished as a result of the renewed determination of the Comptroller-General of Customs Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retired) to rid the country of all forms of illegal importation.

He added  that Compt. Ahmed is vigorously pursuing the Comptroller General of Customs Zero tolerance for duty evasion and smuggling.

He said the effort has encouraged stakeholders to make prompt payment of import and excise duties to the federation account.

Ahmed warned economic saboteurs to steer clear of Kwara area Command and engage in meaningful ventures or face the wrath of the law.

The Controller however called on Nigerians to as a matter of priority, support the Command by providing credible information that will help nip smuggling in the bud and generate needed revenue for national growth and development.

End