ZAINAB JUNAID
Area 2 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Onne, says it has recorded a 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) from January to May 2024, a remarkable increase of One hundred and Fifty-Three billion, Two hundred and Thirteen Million, Seven hundred Thousand, Four hundred and Fifty naira, fifteen Kobo (₦153,213,700,450.15) when compared to the revenue generated in the same period last year.
Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, disclosed this at the Command’s Headquarters in Onne on Friday.
According to him, the achievements is equivalent to 50.4% of the initial revenue target of N494 Billion given to the Command and 40.3% of the new revenue target of N618 Billion after review.
“The Command was initially given a target of N494 Billion before it was reviewed two weeks ago to N618 Billion naira as revenue target for year 2024. When compared to the same period last year, the Command had an increase in revenue generation of One hundred and Fifty-Three billion, Two hundred and Thirteen Million, Seven hundred Thousand, Four hundred and Fifty naira, fifteen Kobo (₦153,213,700,450.15) when compared to the revenue generated in the same period last year ,” he said.
He added that the Command has successfully added to this feat by generating a revenue of Forty-Three billion, Four hundred and Thirty Million, Two hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Two hundred and Ten naira ₦43,430,267,210.00 between June 1st and June 20, 2024.
Speaking on Anti-Smuggling Initiative embarked upon by Area 2 Command, Comptroller Babandede revealed that 6 containers which has a street value of ₦3,188,454,452 was seized by the Command.
Describing the seized items, he said 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 was seized; 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 was seized 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).
The total Duty Paid Value of the six seized containers stands at ₦3,188,454,452.
He attributed the successful seizures to collaboration, synergy and information sharing with sister agency alongside 100% physical examination.
He said the Command will continue to address it’s core responsibilities by deploying 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,” he stated.
