ZAINAB JUNAID
Exactly one week after destroying seized hazardous frozen poultry products smuggled into the country, Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has again showcased another massive seizures of expired frozen products and pharmaceuticals on Thursday, 18 July 2024, packages of frozen hens inclusive.
Speaking at a short briefing held today at the Command’s Headquarters, Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller BO Olomu revealed that the new seizure- seven (7) Containers that fall short of the import prohibition guidelines from entering the country, is in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs policy thrust of zero tolerance for smuggling.
Comptroller Olomu informed that the command seized 2x40ft containers carrying twelve thousand (12,000) pieces of cutlass and machete; 2x40ft carrying four thousand, one hundred and twenty-nine (4,129) packages of frozen hen; Ix40ft container carrying three hundred and sixty-eight (368) jumbo bales of used second hand clothing; and Ix40ft container of expired pharmaceutical.
To him, the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seized items stood at two hundred and ninety-two million, two hundred and forty-four thousand, eight hundred and fifty-seven naira (292,244,857.00).
“It is pertinent to note that this type of importation is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and violate section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
“The seizures were made following a combination of intelligence and diligent enforcement in ensuring that no consignment exit Apapa Port or any terminal under the command without undergoing proper examination,” he stated.
He equally noted that as a working principle, the command will continually sustain and improve on trade facilitation and maximum revenue collection without compromising the enforcement of the extant laws as they pertain to false declaration, concealment, under-declaration and under valuation.
Comptroller Olomu re-emphasized that the command under his leadership will continue to enforce the requirements for sister regulatory agencies like NAFDAC in the case of food and drugs and strict implementation of the end user certificate rules for products that require it from relevant authorities like the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The command’s helmsman reiterated the earlier warning issued by the CGC on the smuggling of prohibited items and restated that Apapa command will keep ensuring only consignments that meet the integrity test of compliance will be allowed to go through the port either as import or export cargoes.
“I appreciate the continuous existing support and cordial relationship with government agencies and I assured you that the seized items will be handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigation and regulatory action,” he concluded.
