The Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, has said that the service would require N20 billion to purchase new equipment for its operations at the ports.
He made the disclosure on Friday in Abuja when the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, went on a facility inspection of Customs operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.
Ali said that the equipment, when purchased, would ease the operations of officials and boost revenue generation.
The equipment are high definition scanners and others that will enhance the functions of the service.
Earlier, Adeosun said that the inspection was necessary to assess the need for new equipment since Customs was one of the big revenue generating and security agencies of the nation.
She also said that the new equipment would serve as investment to the nation.
“The offices are doing extremely good job but we need more technology and modern equipment because you need to be able to scan suitcases and have a prior knowledge of what is inside.
“The days where Customs opens suitcases to search without information are over so we really need to invest in equipment that customs need to improve its performance.
“The equipment that we are buying are an investment, we know that the increase in efficiency of revenue collection will pay for the equipment.