by Jewel Stephen

The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated N781.7 million revenue in August. Speaking on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Ernest Olottah, said that the revenue was N47 million higher than what was generated in July. He attributed the increase to higher trading activities in August.

According to Olottah, the command recorded 76 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N18 million in August. The items seized included rice, vehicles, narcotics, frozen poultry products and general goods.

Olottah said that the command was likely to generate more revenue in the months of -ember because of increase in trading activities.

“We are heading toward the end of the year; trading activities are likely to increase, and this might enable us to surpass our monthly target of N1.1 billion,” he said.

He said that the command generated N8.48 billion in 2013; a figure that was N4.5 billion lower than the N13 billion envisaged for that year.

Olottah urged Nigerians to desist from smuggling because of its adverse effects on the nation’s economy.

“People should shun smuggling and embrace legitimate trade because by so doing, we will be helping the government in its transformation agenda,” he said.

He revealed that no arrests were made during the period under review.

Emmanuel Chidiogo