By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Francis Fadahunsi, said the Nigeria Customs Service can generate N6trn annual revenue for the country if given the marching orders.
The retired deputy comptroller general of the NCS, therefore, advised President Bola Tinubu to direct the military and security high commands in the country to stop forthwith, the massive smuggling currently going on in the country.
He stated this while speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday.
Fadahunsi the vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise in the 9th Senate, also alleged that some international oil companies and highly influential Nigerians were actively involved in massive crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
He said unless the President gives necessary instructions to relevant security and military agencies, the country would continue to experience revenue leakages.
He said, “Some International oil companies and highly influential Nigerians are behind the crude oil theft in Nigeria. It did not start today, the practice has been on for a long time.
“Unfortunately the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is doing nothing spectacular to stop the theft.
“Each of the affected IOCs has separate channels with which they are siphoning crude to waiting vessels on the high seas with the active connivance of the military and security operatives saddled with the responsibilities of protecting the nation’s oil assets.
“If the practice continues Nigeria will continue to experience a shortage in its daily oil production quota.
“Some highly influential Nigerians in and outside government are also smuggling crude with smaller vessels through the Benin Republic en route Lagos.
“Many powerful Nigerians in and outside the government also operate big departmental stores selling foreign products and they failed to pay duties on their goods.
“If President Bola Tinubu could focus special attention on Customs, the country would generate enough revenue for the nation.
“The President needs the support of competent, experienced professionals in both the executive and the legislature to stop the massive revenue leakages the country is currently experiencing.”
He disagreed with the proposed plan to make the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the main revenue collector for the NCS and the Nigeria Ports Authority.
He said, “The Federal Inland Revenue Service cannot collect the customs duties. FIIRS should instead, concentrate on the informal sector particularly markets and the artisans.
“The president should give customs, a target of N6trn per annum. The service has highly trained personnel that could meet the target
“Customs alone can generate the revenues the country needs to service its debts. The FIRS should also be given the mandate to generate N15trn which would be used to provide basic infrastructure, equip medical institutions, and provide other social amenities.
“At the moment, the Nigerian Ports Authority does not remit adequate revenue to the Federation Account. President Tinubu should restructure the NPA by putting the right people there,” he added.
