By Timothy Paul Okorocha
Raking in huge revenue from a Customs formation like that of Edo/Delta Command requires a miracle worker like Compt Babatunde Olukayode Olomu, fsi, PhD. In almost a year he has held sway there, Olomu has not disappointed, as he has put into federal government coffers more than N30.6 billion between January and August this year.
This is inspite of the varied odds; namely low draft and near collapse of the Warri channel, low trade influx, swings in transaction rate and the unstable economic environment. Inspite of these challenges, the Command is doubling down to even surpass its nearly N36 billion target for the year, though it also depends on the vagaries of trade.
For instance, “due to leakages prevention, zero compromise for duty evasion and due diligence in this period of low volume of trade influx into the port as well as the co-operation of stakeholders, the Command was able to generate more than N5.5 billion in this month running out.
Not relenting in excise duty upgrade, Olomu has steadily ensured a strategy which makes collection of Excise duty from Guinness Nigeria Plc, Coca-Cola and 7up Bottling Companies” viable with a total of N4,507,700,028.00 into government’s kitty.
When compared with the corresponding period of last year, when the Command generated a total of N28,275,691,416.25, it shows that it had a differential increment of N2,362,382,379.00 representing 8.02 per cent. However, it had 656 declarations in that period of 2022 as against 480 in the 8 months of this year. ‘We are determined to do more and possibly surpass our revenue target for this year, by God’s grace’ Dr Olomu deposed.
The Command, he noted, raised up 24 Demand Notices (DN) worth N138,587,468.00 as compared to 8 in same period last year. Reeling out the reasons behind the success story in a Press Briefing today, he attributed it to “our doggedness and determination to make a change against all odds, inspite of not having regular vessels berthing in Warri port for some time due to the very shallow depth of the port as well as perceived security concerns around the metropolis.
The volume of crude oil lifted from the area within the period stood at 156,836,264 barrels while that of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) was 268,319,522 metric tonnes, saying “this is an emerging area of strength”. Towards ensuring the security of seizures and detentions domiciled in the Command, the Area was recently blessed with an ultra-modern government warehouse in Benin out-station, Aduwawa.
“This is where seizures brought in by the Federal Operations Unit and Joint Border Patrol Team are being handed over to officers and men of Edo/Delta Command for proper documentation and safe keeping. The Command currently is in custody of seizures with duty paid value in excess of N331,181,600.00, within the third quarter of the year”. The seizures include Bales of used clothes, Rice, vegetable oil, used fridges, red wines, Tomato paste and sacks of cannabis.
Olomu thanked the Comptroller-General and the entire management for the love, dedication and care which has resulted in the construction of several Barracks for the rank and file.
He also commended the officers and men for the unprecedented achievements, not leaving out the Warri Port Management and other sister agencies like the Nigeria Navy, DSS, NDLEA and NAFDAC whose tremendous contribution, he noted was instrumental to the achievements recorded thus far.