The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command Onne has impounded 24 containers laden with refined vegetable oil just as it raked in a total sum of N54,992,123,687.15 .
Briefing the press on Tuesday, the Area Controller of the command, Compt.B. Imam, hinted that the seized vegetable oil comprised of 24,860 gallons of 25 and 10 litres La-Jonic vegetable oil, that is 19,800 gallons of 25 litres and 5,060 gallons ,10 litres with duty paid value of N833,172,538.42.
Compt. Imam explained that the 24 containers were seized based on false declaration and contravention of Schedule 3 Article 4 of C.E.T.
He also disclosed that two other containers laden with 1,165 cartons of Analgin injection and fireworks with other items, that is 286 cartons of Analgin injection I.M.V (2/5g/5ml).
The controller said they were seized based on contravention of revised import prohibition guideline.
He added that other seizures in the containers are 210 cartons Banga, 273 cartons W. Tails, 216 cartons of coloured flowers, 180 cartons of Pops.
He said that the two containers were seized based on failure to produce End user certificate.
According to Compt. Imam, the total duty paid value for the two containers is N94,652,168.39.
He informed that the seized Analgin injection would be handed over to officials of NAFDAC immediately in the spirit of inter-agency cooperation.
He added that a 20 ft container of machetes was detained on documentation grounds pending provision of End user Certificate.
The controller revealed that the revenue target of the command for the year is N336 billion out of which it has generated a total of Fifty-Four Billion, Nine hundred and Ninety-Two Million, One hundred and Twenty-Three thousand, Six hundred and Eighty-Seven naira, Fifteen kobo (₦54,992,123,687.15) which translates to 16.3 per cent of the target. He stated that when compared to the same period last year the Command had an increase in revenue of One billion, One hundred and Thirty-Two Million, Nine hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Five hundred and Fifty-Six naira, Eighty-Two Kobo (₦1,132,925,556.82).
Compt. Imam said the figure was realized despite not having vessels berth in Onne Port for some time due to the just concluded election atmosphere.
He looked forward to continuous rise in revenue generation in the coming months as vessels are expected to berth on the coastline within the next few weeks.
Speaking further on the seizures, the controller stressed the necessity and imperativeness of synergy, collaboration and intelligence sharing, as the above seizures were made purely with intelligence gathered and 100% physical examination.
He said further that investigation is still ongoing through the legal/intelligent unit to arrest the culprits and bring them to book as soon as possible.
“It is worthy of note that importation of certain controlled items like Fireworks and machete requires End-User Certificate which is under the purview of the Office of the National Security Adviser, such importations without the Certificate are to be seized and forfeited to the Nigerian Government.
“The Federal Government bans the Importation of refined vegetable oil in order to promote local production by our local industries, which in turn creates employment for Nigerians and to boost foreign exchange through export of such products.
“The seized containers would be filed for condemnation at the federal High Court Port Harcourt and shall subsequently be forfeited to the Federal Government,” the controller stated .
He promised that the command will continue to blaze the trail in trade facilitation and revenue generation activities through the deployment of intelligence gathering, collaboration and synergy with other critical stakeholders for the actualization of its statutory mandate.
His words: “These deliberate and concerted efforts will guide us in contributing our quota towards realizing remarkable results in line with Vision and Mission of the Comptroller General of Customs and His Management Team.
For complaint traders of legitimate trade we assure you of trade facilitation while we would in accordance with the provision of the law deal with importers and agents who manifest a recalcitrant attitude to obeying the law.
“In conclusion, I want to bring to your notice that, in line with the global best practice and the Controller General of Customs resolve in trade facilitation, the Command reconstituted the dispute resolution team headed by the DC Revenue in order to facilitate trade and give fair hearing to stakeholders and importers with genuine or legitimate complaint about their consignment.
“Additionally, in order to bring stakeholders involved or engaged in importation and exportation up to speed with the best International practice and knowledge required for such operation, our compliant stakeholders who believe the Command should have a conducive training and meeting center initiated as part of their cooperate social responsibility to assist in the construction of a conference room that will serve a dual purpose. I am glad to inform you that work on the Conference/ training center is almost completed, and within the next few weeks we shall be commissioning the center.”