Customs Uncovers 12 Tax-evading Factories In Ogun, Generates N12.8bn In 6 Months

The monitoring unit of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) in Ogun II Area Command, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has uncovered 12 factories which have been allegedly operating for a period without paying the prerequisite Excise Duties in the State.

This is coming on the heels of NCS’ success story at generating the sum of over N12. 8 billion within a period of six months of its aggressive revenue generation drive.

The NCS Controller for Ogun Area II Command, Comptroller Bisi Alade, disclosed these while speaking with journalists at a press conference held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Thursday.

Alade explained that the errant 12 factories, which comprised of 11 manufacturing companies and one Bonded Terminal were discovered through the NCS’ deployment of “intelligence and reconnaissance” of its monitoring unit, stressing that the affected factories have been brought under different stages of registration to enable them pay necessary duties to the federal government.

While soliciting the cooperation of the various factories under the command on the timely payment of appropriate Excise Duties and other charges, Alade reiterated that the command under his watch would continue to dialogue and sensitise members of the business communities in Ogun State on the need to comply with the government’s fiscal policies even while discharging the NCS’ statutory function of enforcing compliance.

Speaking on the core mandate of the Service’s revenue generation, the Ogun II Area Controller revealed that the total sum of N12,830,493,630:06 was generated between January and June this year when he assumed office as the overall head of the command.

According to Alade, the amount generated represented a 51 per cent improvement on the amount generated in the corresponding year 2023, which stood at a little over N8. 505 billion.

“This attainment is evidence of the diligence, professionalism and commitment of our officers and men who worked tirelessly to ensure that we met and exceeded the revenue targets given to our command. It is also indicative of our steadfast commitment to the growth of our National economy.

“Our activities in the free trade zones have improved and these brought greater success which is evident in our monthly revenue collections from April to June,” he stated.

Alade, however, assured that the command would continue to put in place necessary measures that will assist it in improving on the revenue collection, while also maintaining a robust relationship with members of the trading communities in Ogun Area II Command.