Customs Realises N12.2 billion from Nigeria Breweries in 2 years

Customs Realises N12.2 billion from Nigeria Breweries in 2 years                                   

Nigerian Customs Service

From: Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) yesterday identified the Nigerian Breweries Plc as a major player in the nation’s economy in view of the dwindling revenue profile of the country as a result of the continuous downside in the oil revenue.

Speaking during a stakeholders dinner organised by the NB Plc in Enugu, the Area Controller,  Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Area Command of the NCS, Kashim Ajiya said the company's contributions to the economy of the nation especially with reference to the non-oil sector cannot be over-emphasised.

He said for instance, between January and November this year, the command had collected a whooping N6.3 billion in revenue with the NB Plc contributing 90 per cent of the figure.

While noting that the command is more of an excise oriented command, with 98 per cent of its revenue collection coming from excise traders and not from import duties, Ajiya said the company had also in 2014 contributed 90 per cent of the N7.3 billion it generated.

Aside revenue generation, the commander disclosed that the company is presently reconstructing a befitting officers mess at the Customs Barracks,  Enugu estimated to gulp about N10 million.

In a brief remark, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was represented byhus deputy,  Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo commened the company for maintaining a smooth working relationship with the state government, observing that their contributions in the areas of security, environment, community development as well as Internally Generated Revenue of the state have gone a long way in taking the state to the next level.