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Customs Rakes in N14.3bn in Three Months

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Nigeria Customs Service
  • Customs Rakes in N14.3bn in Three Months

Despite the downturn in the economy, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, Ikeja, Lagos, has announced revenue of N14.399 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2017, compared with N11.1 billion earned in the corresponding period of 2016. This represents an increase of N3.258 billion when compared to the Q1 of year 2016.

Controller of the command, Francis Allanah, who disclosed this in a statement, said the command collected a total of N55.5 billion from January to December 2016.

This figure, he added, surpassed the envisage revenue target with a whopping N15.5 billion, and also exceeded the total collection of 2015 by N12.8billion.

Allanah said he and officers in his command would continue to do their best to surpass targets set by customs high command and boost the revenue of the federal government.

According to him, “The year 2017 is just three months old, notwithstanding the harsh economic realities, by dogged determination, quality leader ship, and commitment by motivation of our officers and men, the MMA command is poised to do more going by revenue figures already collected for the first quarter 2017.

“Clearing agents and importers who work within the Airport can testify to our adherence to and insistence on professional conduct as stipulated by Customs guidelines/regulations. We have made remarkable strides in the areas of revenue generation, anti-smuggling, discipline, enforcement, trainings, officers’ welfare amongst others.”

He added that through in-house training and re-trainings, officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service at MMA have become more professional and unbeatable.

Maximum revenue, he stressed, has therefore been collected on all dutiable items be they exports or imported cargoes.

“Only last year, two aircrafts imported by yet to be identified importers, were seized by the command under his watch. The aircrafts have been handed over to the Nigerians Air Force to strengthen it on the fight against insurgents especially in the North-East and South-South regions of the country. And a total of eight cartons of phantom drone are seized during the period under review. Huge sums of various currencies have also been seized from currency traffickers by the command and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary action.

Allanah added that the command does not tolerate any act of indiscipline, adding that, “By his avowed commitment to enforcing laid down rules by the Customs management board, the resultant rise in revenue profile is, without an iota of doubt, a result of his strictness and incorrigibility attitude to act of indiscipline.”

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Economy

Nigeria’s Plan to Review Oil Companies’ Gas Flaring Strategies

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Oil

Nigeria is ramping up its efforts to address environmental concerns in the oil and gas sector with a comprehensive plan to review gas flaring strategies of international and indigenous oil companies.

The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, announced this initiative during a national stakeholders engagement meeting on methane mitigation and reduction held in Abuja, Investors King reports.

Gas flaring, a common practice in the oil industry, releases methane—a potent greenhouse gas—into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and posing health risks to communities near oil facilities.

Nigeria aims to end routine gas flaring by 2030, aligning with global climate goals and commitments.

Dr. Salako explained the importance of reducing methane emissions and highlighted the detrimental effects on public health, food security, and economic development.

He outlined practical steps being taken to tackle methane emissions, including the development of methane guidelines and the engagement of government institutions.

The ministry, through the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, will conduct periodic reviews of oil companies’ plans to ensure compliance with the gas flaring deadline.

Deloitte management consultants will assist in conducting comprehensive forensic audits to scrutinize the legitimacy of forward-contracted transactions.

President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to environmental sustainability underscores the government’s dedication to addressing climate change and fulfilling its multilateral environmental agreements.

The engagement event served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss methane mitigation strategies, existing policies, and implementation challenges.

Collaboration and dialogue among diverse sectors are crucial in charting a unified course towards sustainable methane reduction in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

As the country navigates its environmental agenda, ensuring accountability and transparency in gas flaring practices remains paramount for achieving a greener and healthier future.

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Economy

Interest Rate Jumps to 24.75% as CBN Takes Aggressive Stance Against Inflation

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Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a significant increase in the monetary policy rate, known as the interest rate, to 24.75%.

This move disclosed by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso during the 294th Meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee press briefing in Abuja, represents a bold step by the apex bank to address the mounting inflationary pressures faced by the country.

With inflation soaring to 31.70% in February, the CBN aims to moderate this upward trend by tightening its monetary policy stance.

This decision follows the previous hike in the interest rate to 22.75% in February, showcasing the CBN’s commitment to combatting inflationary forces.

While the bank opted to maintain the Cash Reserve Ratio at 45%, the significant increase in the interest rate underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for decisive action.

Governor Cardoso emphasized that these measures are essential to stabilize the economy and safeguard the purchasing power of the Nigerian currency.

The 294th MPC marks the second meeting under Governor Cardoso’s leadership, indicating a proactive approach to addressing economic challenges.

The next MPC meeting is scheduled for May 20th and 21st, 2024, highlighting the ongoing commitment of the CBN to navigate Nigeria’s economic landscape amidst inflationary pressures.

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Economy

Nigeria Braces for 10th Consecutive Interest Rate Hike by Central Bank

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

As Nigeria grapples with persistently high inflation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is gearing up to implement its tenth consecutive interest rate hike in a bid to curb the soaring prices and attract investment.

Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg are anticipating a substantial 125 basis-point increase in the key rate to 24%, marking one of the most significant adjustments in the current tightening cycle.

The decision, expected to be announced by Governor Olayemi Cardoso on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Abuja, comes on the heels of inflation accelerating to 31.7% in February, far surpassing the central bank’s target range of 9%.

This surge has been primarily attributed to the sharp depreciation of the naira, prompting authorities to devalue the currency twice since June to narrow the gap with the unofficial market rate and encourage investor confidence.

While these measures have seen the naira strengthen in recent days and bolstered investment inflows, including a fourfold increase in overseas remittances and significant foreign investor portfolio asset purchases, there remains a palpable need for more decisive action.

Giulia Pellegrini, a senior portfolio manager at Allianz Global Investors, emphasized the necessity for the CBN to intensify its tightening efforts to regain foreign investors’ confidence in the local bond market.

While acknowledging the positive strides made by the central bank, Pellegrini stressed the importance of a more assertive approach to prevent the diversion of investor attention to other frontier markets.

As the Nigerian economy navigates through these challenging times, the impending interest rate hike signals the CBN’s determination to address inflation head-on and foster a more stable economic environment.

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