By Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has generated N78.78 million in six months in Borno and Yobe, despite Boko Haram insurgency that closed down ten border stations with Niger, Chad and Cameroon. The functional border stations of Gambouru, Bama/Banki and Geidam only render skeletal services due to terrorists’ activities in the two states. This was disclosed on Tuesday in Maiduguri by area command comptroller, Angbalaga Joshua, while briefing journalists on activities from January-June this year. According to him, despite security challenges, the command was able to live up to expectation to generate N78.78 million in six months. His words: “The 2018 revenue target for Borno/Yobe Area Command is N137, 507, 673, 70. However, from January to June being the half year, the Command was able to generate the sum of N78, 776, 670. “This is about 60 per cent of our annual target for the year 2018.” He further disclosed that several seizures were also made during the period under review. He said on June 28, a truck load of 2,900 cartons of imported Crusader soap was intercepted along Maiduguri-Kano road with duty paid value of N245.83 million. Other seizures made, according to him, include three Toyota Land Cruisers and a Fiat bus containing 146 bags of smoked fish. He said the vehicles were intercepted along Garin Gada-Geidam and Yunusari road, Yobe state with a total duty paid value of N3.74 million. “A truck loaded with 50kg of 100 bags of imported rice and 50kg of beans were also intercepted in Maiduguri, along Bama road,” he said. He added that a duty paid value of N4.2 million was imposed for payments on the imported rice and beans. He said despite the challenges and constraints, the command will continue to work hard on improving its revenue.
