Business
KLT Customs Makes N10.5bn In Three Months
The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) realised the sum of NI0,572,518,271 in revenue receipt during the first quarter of 2023, which translates to 76.87 per cent of its expected revenue.
The command also recorded the recovery of receipts amounting to N68.5million from issuance of debit notes on questionable cargo documentations.
Despite the impressive scorecard, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Timi Bomodi, notes that the scorecard is still below the expected optimal performance of the command, citing various economic and fiscal dynamics as factors responsible for the present downturn.
He said, “While we acknowledge the impact of monetary policy changes and the effect of exchange rates on business, the overall effect has been a downturn in import volume, hence the Command’s performance.
“However, all hands are on deck to safeguard and protect all revenue accruable from import and export trade, to this effect Demand Notices to the tune of N68.5m has been raised to shore up the shortfall in revenue”.
A statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SC JT Ayagbalo and made available to our correspondent in Lagos at the weekend quoted Bomodi as saying “since the command began operation as an export processing terminal, there is an expected upswing in the volume of exports through KLT.
“Prior to this period, KLTC was used as a transit hub for exports. However, since the establishment of an export processing terminal, all export procedures have since commenced in the Command with an anticipated uptick in export volume”.
The CAC further notes that with the establishment of a clinic for the Command earlier in the year, and which was commissioned by the ACG Zone ‘A’ on behalf of the CGC, the well-being of officers have been significantly impacted, as all health-related challenges are given prompt attention before they are referred to other facilities.
Bomodi adds that the command is coming out of some of the challenges it has faced for awhile, including operational and environmental challenges, and notes that the command has much brighter prospects.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos