Reduce Concession Grants to Achieve High Revenue, Customs CG Tells FG

Customs Comptroller-General,Wale Adeniyi, says it could generate N6 trillion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the Federal Government in 2024.

This is, however, on the condition that the FG reduced its concession to importers.

Adewale Adeniyi, stated this at the 2024 budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation on Monday in Abuja.

Adeniyi said that the amount was higher than the N5 trillion originally projected in the budget.

“I share the optimism of
increasing the revenue to N6 trillion in 2024. So, N6 trillion revenue in 2024 is possible,’’ he said.

Adeniyi said the service would be able to generate the N6 trillion revenue “if the Federal Government reduces concession grants in 2024”.

‘’The new law will also help us to facilitate a number of issues that will make revenue generation possible,’’ he said.

Adeniyi frowned at frequent import waivers by government, saying that it was one of the factors that had impeded revenue generation.
‘

’If we can get N1.8 trillion in one year, that shows the N6 trillion revenue for 2024 is achievable,” he said.

The Customs boss said many of the goods at the ports were yet to be cleared, adding that when the NCS looked into its system, a number of bill laden were not opened.

He said when an internal audit was conducted, it showed that the NCS realised over N11 billion from that exercise, adding that there were still lots of goods yet to see be cleared.

Speaking on import duty exception, Adeniyi said it was usually a presidential order given through the Minister of Finance.

Rep. Abubakar Bitchi, the chairman of the committee, commended Adeniyi for his efforts to generate more revenue for the government.
“Is there a possibility to increase your revenue? We will be glad if you can make it N6 trillion for 2024,’’ he said.

Bitchi said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu would not be achieved unless the revenue generating agencies increased their targeted revenue.

He said the 2024 appropriation bill was laudable, adding that it would only materialise if there was enough money to meet the N27.5 trillion budget.