.Command rakes in 89% of annual revenue target, records over N550B
ZAINAB JUNAID
Just as some importers proved to be unpatriotic citizens, bent on truncating efforts of Security Agencies in the Country, the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has continued to intensified efforts through its modernization journey to curtail the illicit act of these unscrupulous elements.
Few days after two Commands in Zone A-TinCan Island Port, TCIP Command and Port Terminal MultiService Limited, PTML Command, declared massive seizures of prohibited items, Area 2 Command, Onne Port, Rivers State, has on Monday announced another set of significant seizures.
Recall that a State of Emergency was declared at the same Port exactly two months and seven days ago by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for the influx of fraudulent imports through the Port.
CGC Adeniyi made the declaration after showcasing the displayed massive seizures of arms and ammunition worth billions of naira in September, 2024.
However, the Command has again intercepted significant seizures of twenty 40feet and one 20feet containers laden with illicit drugs, which has a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N46,840,119,810.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Command’s Headquarters on Monday, 11 November, 2024, Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Muhammed Babandede disclosed that the successful seizures was in collaboration with Sister Agencies such as NDLEA, DSS, Quarantine and NAFDAC among others which is in line with the Comptroller General of Customs Policy thrust of consolidation and collaboration.
He noted that the illicit items posed a severe threat to public health and safety.
Highlighting contents of the seizures, Comptroller Babandede revealed that it includes- 2,624,053 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine; 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac; 3,500,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol; 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/ Tramadol/Tamolx; 7,665,000 tablets of 200ml fake/counterfeit Gonorrhea Antibiotics without NAFDAC number; 15,600,000 tablets of fake 4mg chlorphenamine; 33,840,00 tablets of 2mg fake Lemotil Loperamine; 19,430 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment; 20,238 pieces of Sanitary Fittings Tap/toilet seat used for concealment; 26,400 tubes of 30mg fake Permethrin cream; 480,000 tablets of fake Stapsiril; 112,500 tablets of fake multi mineral supplement; 28 drums of diphenhydramine Hydrochloride ip of 25kg each; 3,388 pieces of waste connector used for concealment; 2,100 pieces of Donkey Skin.
“The Duty paid Value of the twenty-one containers totals ₦46,399,119,810, while the Duty paid value for the donkey skin is ₦441,000,000.
“These seizures underscored our unwavering commitment to combatting illicit medicine and ensuring the safety of the public. The implementation of this state of emergency by the CGC has proven effective in enhancing our operational capabilities and ensuring that we can act decisively against those who seek to undermine our nation’s security.
“Still on Anti-smuggling activities, the Command under my stewardship this year, including these seizures on display has now made a total seizure of 63 containers comprising of: 844 Riffles; 112,500 pieces of live ammunition; Over 6,469,253 bottles of 100ml syrup with codeine; Over 56,878,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol /Tramadol/Tamolx.
“Among others 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. The Duty Paid Value of the seizures made so far is ₦130,562,660,407,” he added.
In a related development, the Area Controller revealed that the Command utilizes World Customs Organization trade facilitation tool to enhance revenue generation.
“The result of utilizing Time Release Study (TRS) tool within the past months of this year has been unprecedented.
“In the area of Export, you would agree with me that export play a crucial role in any nation’s economy and Nigeria relies on it to promotes economic growth, job creation and provides favourable balance of trade and exchange rate for the naira to the dollar. In the Command, a total of 2,436,408.33 Metric tonnes of goods with a free on board (FOB) value of $826,613,015.87 was processed through the Command.
“Still within the past months of this year, the Command has generated In the Area of revenue the Command as at this morning has generated a total revenue of Five hundred and Fifty Billion, Four hundred and Thirty-One Million, Five hundred and Fifty-Nine thousand, Five hundred and Ninety-Eight naira, Forty-One kobo (₦550,431,559,598.41) which translate to 89% of the annual target of 618 Billion given to the Command. “In conclusion I want to thank you all for presence here today and for the critical role the media plays, especially in the area of sensitization and public enlightenment, in order to achieve willful compliance to trade laws of all imports and export through this Command,” he concluded.
