The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Mr Abdullahi Dikko, on Thursday said the Federal Government had set N1.2 trillion revenue collection target for the service in 2014.
Dikko made this known when he decorated 16 newly-promoted Deputy Comptroller-Generals and Assistant Comptroller-Generals of the service in Abuja.
He expressed determination of the service to meet the target, saying that the promotion of the officers was part of restructuring to strengthen it for better performance.
The comptroller-general said the NCs would intensify the fight against revenue offenders, and urged the promoted officers to deploy their energy toward achieving the objective.
Dikko also said the newly introduced Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), which led to the takeover of Destination Inspection by the Customs, was working smoothly.
He said that PAAR had attracted attention from other countries, which wanted to take a cue from Nigerian Customs, adding that Ghana Customs had requested to be trained in Nigeria.
“I am glad to inform you that Customs has taken over the management of destination inspection and the implementation has begun smoothly.
“The new PAAR was introduced into the clearance system and our ultra-modern Ruling Centre has commenced the issuance of PAAR in full swing.
“A help desk has been established to provide support services to importers and agents,” he said.
He said that the decorated officers were among the 4,225 officers promoted in the recent exercise.
He charged the officers to work with integrity by adopting the attitude of zero tolerance for corruption to ensure the continuity of the current reforms and modernisation of the service.
“The New Year will be full of challenges for the service. I will continue to count on your support for a successful year,” he added.
A Deputy Comptroller-General, Mr Ade Adewumi, who spoke on behalf of the promoted officers, commended Dikko for his leadership style, and promised that they would be dedicated to their duties.
“We will not disappoint the service; we will not disappoint the Comptroller-General.
“We will not betray the confidence reposed in us and will try by all means to do our best in discharging our assigned responsibilities,’’ he said.
