ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service, TinCan Island Port Command has announced a revenue collection of Five Hundred and Seventy Five Billion, Five Hundred and Five Million, Six Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Eight Hundred and Four Naira and Fifty Nine Kobo only(N575,505,612,804.59) from January to June 31, 2024.
Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi disclosed this to journalists in Lagos on Friday, 12 July, 2024, while reading out achievements made by the Command for the first half year. Comptroller Nnadi revealed that the revenue shows an improvement of N315, 248,670,683.90 Billion and a 221.13% increase when compared to N256,942,120.69 Billion revenue generated in the same period for 2023.
On anti-smuggling activities, the Area Controller said the command recorded seizures of arms, ammunition, and Illicit substances, among others, all with a Duty Paid Value of over N8.9 billion naira within the period under review.
“Customs, being the lead agency at the Ports through its enforcement unit has coordinated several 100% physical examination under my supervision in collaboration with critical stakeholders to ensure that the command is freed of any form of non-compliance to the international trade cycle. “The command’s enforcement and anti-smuggling unit has not been relenting in its efforts to combat smuggling and all forms of criminality”.
The Controller also said the Command made available facilities for resolving disputes and addressing legitimate complaints of stakeholders as it relates to the customs clearance process via the Dispute Resolution Committee and the Helpdesk. These facilities have been strategic and significant in assisting the Command to maintain a balance between facilitating legitimate trade and collecting appropriate taxes on behalf of Government.
“Also the port access and terminal access roads are undergoing construction works and further decongestion, the Command has continued to facilitate the use of Barge as an alternative means of transport for the movement of custom cargo in line with international best practices, helping to maintain business and flow in the customs clearance process.
“While we are optimistic for better performance ratings, the implementation of the e-Customs project and the installation of smart technology at the ports will be a turning point in the digitalization of customs processes & procedures and will significantly boost the Command’s capacity to enforce compliance and generate revenue in line with international best practices,” he added.
