…Records ₦1.6bn seizures

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Onne Command has generated N94billion revenue into the coffers of the Federal Government in 2018.

The CAC and his officers showcasing the seized items

The Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the Command, Ifeoma Onuigbo Ojekwu, gave this data in a press statement issued by the Command.

The Customs Area Controller, CAC, of Onne, Comptroller Aliyu Galadima Saidu, in the press statement explained, “The Command generated a total of N94 in 2018, which is about 80percent of allotted annual target of ₦117.8billion. A comparative review of the preceding year shows that the Command realised ₦373.2million more than it did in 2017, bringing it to about 0.35percent increase in  revenue collection”.

The CAC went on, “Specifically, when relating the revenue collected and seizures to the operational strategies used, I am happy to inform you that the Command focused mainly on intelligence risk profiling of our system with 100 percent physical examination of cargo at the various Terminals, sensitising stakeholders on the  benefits of compliance; application of due diligence and professionalism in documentation, as well as examination of cargoes. Most importantly, building synergy with other relevant government agencies, such as National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Port Health, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and other sister security agencies, especially Navy, Police and Immigration for information, which has proven to be useful at crucial moments”.

Comptroller Saidu pointed out, “It was on the basis of the foregoing that the Command recorded 61 remarkable seizures of various items such as 9 x 40ft containers of Tramadol, Hyergra, Diclofenac and Analgesic Tablets of different types; 64 of 20 containers of foreign parboiled rice and other items, such as military uniforms and boots, with a total Duty Paid Value, DPV, of ₦1.6billion”.

He analysed, “A comparative review of the seizure profile of 2017 revealed that the year 2018 surpassed with 37 seizures and DPV of ₦1,147,142,275, bringing to about 60.7percent increase in seizures and 70.9percent increase in DPV, as regards general enforcement.

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“More so, we seized 126 containers, which is 81 percent increase of the 24 containers confiscated in the preceding year, 2017.

“All these seizures followed various infractions such as false declaration, concealment, wrong classification, importation without end user certificate and complete disregards for import and export guidelines with intent to smuggle in illicit goods”.

He frowned, “It should be noted that smuggling poses a big threat to economic growth and national security.  That is why those who engage in it are considered as economic saboteurs. They are those destroying the nation’s economy, because they want to evade payment of import duty, to bring in items posing security risk to the nation.

“It is worrisome and very unfortunate that despite the wide awareness on the consequences of smuggling on economic growth and development, some citizens still find joy in perpetuating this evil act only for their personal gains”.

57,300 pieces of machetes seized without end-user-certificate

The CAC informed, “The Command worked in synergy with other Customs Units such as the Customs Intelligence Unit, CIU, Valuation, CG’s Strike Force and Post Clearance Audit, PCA, to achieve maximum compliance to extant laws on import and export for increased revenue generation and anti-smuggling feat.

“Again, the Command recorded high level of compliance on export declarations. A total of 136,973,413.92 metric tonnes of exported goods with total Free On Board, FOB, value of $1,126,516,635.9 which is equivalent to ₦409,083,251,160.73 at #363.14 per dollar was realized.

“The Command has started 2019 on a promising note. It is heart-warming to note that in the first quarter, the Command generated ₦25,561,932,417.78 when compared to ₦18,857,668,490.00 generated in the first quarter of 2018, accrued to 26.2 percent increase.

“We recorded seizures of nine containers comprising 57,300 pieces of machetes without end-user certificate; 2,000 Jerry Cans of 25 litres of vegetable oil; 6,456 cartons of foreign soap; 535 bales and 142 cartons of wears; and 69 bags of foreign rice with a total DPV of ₦106,889,670.00.

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“The overall achievement is sequel to the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs and his Management Team, with full deployment of NICIS II application in the Command, which necessitated training of 520 Officers/Men. The resultant effect has yielded an intrinsic advantage in terms of revenue, control of infractions in the system and increased compliance level, as a result of the additional functionalities.

“Also, the Command has started in-house training of Officers and Men on trade facilitation, with emphasis on oil and gas equipment. The Command will not rest on its oars, as we strive to justify the confidence reposed in us by the nation, to ensure that this year’s achievement surpasses the previous one”.