The Customs Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command Onne, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede has increased the revenue generated by the command by N153,213,700,450 when compared with the revenue generated in the same period last year.
The command also intercepted seven containers with duty paid value totalling N3,188454,452.
Addressing the press last Friday, Comptroller Babandede stated that as at the end of May 2024, the command generated a total revenue of Two hundred and Forty-Nine Billion, Seven hundred and Fifty-Two Million, Two hundred and Sixty-Eight thousand, Two hundred and Ninety-Eight naira, Twenty-Eight kobo (₦249,752,268,298.28) which translated to 50.4% of the initial target of #494 billion before it was reviewed to #618 billion and 40.3% of the current annual target.
He copiously explained
Customs Operations on the procedures of containers movement from the port to Bonded Terminal and advised the stakeholders to adhere strictly to it.
He attributed the command’s success story to the cooperation from the officers and men of the Command , synergies with sister agencies and all stakeholders involved , who have made his work easy since assumed office , which is also in line with the Policy Thrust of Consolidation and collaboration of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.
He noted that despite all happenings in the month of June , e. g NLC strike, Democracy day and Sallah holiday, as at 21st of June, the Command has generated Forty-Three billion, Four hundred and Thirty Million, Two hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Two hundred and Ten naira (₦43,430,267,210.00), assuring that the Command will surpass the annual target by the end of the year.
On anti-smuggling activities, he disclosed that the command has on display six seized Containers for violations or contraventions of various customs laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines of the Common External Tariff 2022-2026, as well as Sections 233, 234, 235, 245, 246 of Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
He emphasized that the disposal of the seized items shall be with the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in the spirit of inter-agency cooperation, synergy and in line with section 119 & 245 of the NCS Act 2023 to have it disposed.
The seized items on display are as follows:
1. Four (4)x20 feet containers laden with bales of clothing, lace and fabrics i.e (96 jumbo size in total) with Duty Paid Value of ₦911,520,011.00.
2. Also seized were 2×40 feet containers laden with 2,625 cartons of cough syrup codeine, 80 cartons of Sildenatil Citrate tablets and 40 cartons of deluxe chilly cutter with Duty Paid Value of ₦2,250,654,000.00 (Based on concealment, false declaration, contravention of revised import prohibition guideline and section 55 Sub-section (1) paragraphs (C) and (I) of NCS Act 2023).
He said that the content contravenes the provision of the law which prohibits and restricts certain goods for the protection of the public health and safety. The total value of the 7 seized containers stands at ₦3,188,454,452.
He stated that the above seizures were made purely from intelligence gathered and information sharing with sister agency alongside 100% physical examination.
He also used the opportunity to thanked NDLEA for their collaboration and inter-agency cooperation as seizures of this magnitude could not have been possible without their involvement.
However, he said that investigation is still ongoing through the Legal/Intelligent Unit to arrest the culprits and bring them to book as soon as possible.
“These containers are currently in our Government Warehouse and would be shown to members of the press shortly. The seized containers would be filed for condemnation at the federal High Court, Port Harcourt and shall subsequently be forfeited to the Federal Government”
He assured the media of their continuing efforts to address the service core responsibilities by employing various risk management strategies aimed at collecting revenue, identifying vulnerable leakages, gathering intelligence and facilitating trade.
“We cannot but underscore the necessity and imperativeness of leveraging on synergy, collaboration and intelligence sharing with sister agencies and stakeholders as it enhances our revenue drive and anti-smuggling feats.”.
“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 Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and His Management Team.”.