Dr. Oramalugo taking ACG Yusuf round to see some sized items.
Story by Dili Utomi.
In continuation of his statutory duty of monitoring the progress of all Commands and Units under his his Zone, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) SA Yusuf visited the operational headquarters of the Oyo/Osun Area Command on Wednesday, 25th September 2024, as part of a one-day working visit to assess the operational efficiency and performance of the Command.
According to the press statement released by the public relations officer of the Zone, Supretendent of Customs Akaninyene Edeminam, ACG Yusuf was received by the Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, Dr Ben Oramalugo PhD, FCIA FNIM, alongside Heads of sister security Agencies, senior officers of the Command and representatives of excise factories domiciled within Oyo and Osun States.
The statement noted that “The Zonal Coordinator was briefed on the Command’s recent activities, focusing on revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and trade facilitation initiatives. In his briefing, Dr Ben Oramalugo pointed out that the Oyo/Osun Area Command has continued to collecting revenue payable to the Federal Government from excise factories under his Command”.
The ACG in an Interview after the visit
Record shows that from January to August 2024, the Command has collected a total of ₦45,778,954,527.27 (Forty-Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Seven Naira, Twenty-Seven Kobo), which signifies 32.3% of the Command revenue target for 2024 which is set at ₦141,682,012,396.84 (One Hundred and Forty-One Billion, Six Hundred and Eighty-One Million, and Twelve Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Six Naira Eighty-Four Kobo).
The CAC of the Command stated that the dedication and hard work exhibited by Command officers has led to embracing new technological advancements in customs processes and ensuring improved compliance by stakeholders despite the economic downturn.
Furthermore, Dr. Oramalugo informed the Zonal Coordinator of the Command’s relentless efforts in suppressing smuggling activities, as he highlighted various significant seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3,458,691,560:00 (Three Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Naira).
The CAC expressed his gratitude for the support received from the Zonal Headquarters 0and also highlighted some of the challenges faced by the Command which include the need for upgraded logistics and surveillance equipment, as well as the challenge of monitoring the porous borders. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to overcoming these challenges through collaboration with other security agencies and continuous capacity building for officers.
A truck load of contraband items at the premises of the Command with officers nearby.
In his address, the Zonal Coordinator, ACG SA Yusuf commended the Customs Area Controller and his team for their outstanding performance, both in revenue generation and the suppression of smuggling. He added that the Oyo/Osun Area Command has demonstrated remarkable efficiency in balancing revenue collection with the fight against smuggling, as he urged all Command Officers to keep up the excellent work and continue contributing to national security and economic stability. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining strict enforcement protocols while ensuring that trade facilitation remains a priority for the Command and Service.
The Zonal Coordinator also encouraged Command officers to acquire more knowledge, improve their capacity, adapt to new initiatives, remain vigilant while on duty and be adaptive in their operations, especially with the ever-evolving world that we work and live in. He assured the Command of continued support from the Zonal Headquarters in addressing the various challenges as described.
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