Customs CG, Adeniyi Proposes N706 Billion Budget For Projects, Staff Welfare
The Senate Committee on Customs at the National Assembly received the 2024 budget of the Customs Service from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
Defending the proposed budget, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of consolidating ongoing projects, enhancing staff welfare, and incorporating technology into Customs processes.
He highlighted the measures that will be taken to improve officers’ efficiency and well-being, including awards, promotions, and allowances.
Adeniyi also expressed his commitment to surpassing the revenue target for 2024, which is set at 5.079 trillion nairas, representing a 27.75 percent increase from the previous year’s target.
In addition, Adeniyi, the former spokesperson of the agency, highlighted various approaches to accomplish the goal set for 2024.
These approaches encompass the implementation of the National Single Window, which is advocated by the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Adeniyi also stressed the importance of streamlining and standardizing Customs procedures, alleviating port congestion, fostering collaboration with other agencies to enhance efficiency and competitiveness, conducting anti-smuggling operations, integrating ICT into operations, investing in capacity development, and engaging stakeholders.
The Customs CG furthermore, placed significant emphasis on the support for domestic production and the prioritization of food security.
He stated, “We intend to grant waivers to vehicle owners to pay duties within a specific time to avoid sanctions and to regularise the importation of vehicles through payment of duties.
“The service plans to recruit 1,600 personnel in 2024. The low figure is due to the small vacancies we have available. These vacancies are primarily for junior staff who will carry out Customs operations and guard duties. In subsequent years, more recruitment exercises will be carried out.”
However, it was pointed out by him that the service fell short of its 2023 revenue target by 12.62 percent. This was attributed to various factors such as concessions in Section 99 of the Common External Tariff (CET), import duty exemption certificates, financial constraints, the impact of general elections, and other negative influences on revenue generation.
He expressed confidence in a favourable outcome for 2024. Senator Isa Jibrin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, commended the Head of the Customs Service for the progress and achievements made during his short tenure in office.
He encouraged him to strive for even better performance, assuring him of the support of the house in terms of compensation and infrastructure.
