“The command anti-smuggling drive has not relented its efforts in any way. Being the lead agency at the port, the 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 noncompliance to international trade.”
The Tincan Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), led by Comptroller Dera Nnadi, last weekend showcased massive seizures of contraband and illegal items which unscrupulous importers and their agents tried to smuggle into the country through the seaport.
Some of the items seized by the command included hard drugs, arms and ammunition, which were eventually handed over to the appropriate government agencies that have jurisdiction over such items, for further discreet investigations.
The Command also through a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, NN Okwara, a Superintendent of Customs (SC) for the Customs Area Controller, disclosed that in the area of revenue generation, the command recorded a total collection N240,302,743,023.47 for the period of January 2024 to March 17, 2024.
Speaking last weekend in Lagos during a press briefing, Compt. Nnadi said the occasion offered the command the opportunity to render their stewardship over the last months.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) said that it was their belief that at the end of the briefing, participants would be availed of the efforts being put in place to upscale the command’s revenue drive while facilitating legitimate trade.
“The year 2024 is a year we have tagged with the theme-‘The Year of the Stakeholders,’ which aligned with the theme for the International Customs Day “ Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose.”
This, according to him, is in tandem with the fundamental pillars of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC’s) vision of collaboration, consolidation and innovation.
“The command recorded a total collection of two hundred and thirty billion, three hundred and two million, seven hundred and forty-three thousand, twenty-three-naira, forty-seven kobo (N240,302,743,023.47) for the period of January 2024 till date,” the Customs boss revealed.
Giving a breakdown of the revenue Month by Month, Nnadi said the command collected a total N88,430,126,122.72 in the month of January 2024, adding that this was 7.89% higher than the value of N42,536,336,038.11 for the month of January 2023.
He said that in the month of February 2024, the command generated N100,399,354,887.71, which was 41.82% higher than the value collected on the same period in 2023 which is N41,518,738,649.09.
He also stated that in this month of March 2024, the command recorded the sum of N42,473,262,013.00, which was collected from March 1 to 13, 2024.
The Customs Area Controller also averred that his command made giant strides in the area of enforcement and anti-smuggling activities, saying that a lot of prohibited items were intercepted and seized.
He said: “The command anti-smuggling drive has not relented its efforts in any way. Being the lead agency at the port, the 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 noncompliance to international trade.”
The seized items include 12 pieces of rifles and 6 pistols.
Other seized items are two packets of 50pieces of 9mm live ammunition, totaling 100 rounds, twenty-three packets weighing 23kg of substance confirmed to be heroine.
They were itemized as marked white 999 ten packets of 1kg each which is10kg, marked white 888 three packets of 1kg each which is 3kg, marked blue Sapphire, eight packets of 1kg each which is 8kg, marked 777 Bentley, two packets of 1kg each which is 2kg.
Other items found according to the CAC are flat screen television sets, HP printer, 6 cartons containing scanner machines, 5 empty metal Jerry cans; 2 washing machines, 3 sets of bed frames, a set of living room furniture, 3 used micro wave, 1 used vacuum cleaner; table tennis, one sport bicycle, two wooden crates of light fittings; one wooden crate containing a motorized toy car and DSTV dish.
Others are one used Samsung refrigerator, four sets of used sound systems, one used barbecue grill, two used toasters, three used blenders and sixteen bags containing used clothes and personal effects.
“I sincerely wish to appreciate the continuous support of the CGC, Bashir Adeniyi and his management team.
“Every support from the Service headquarters is significant in enhancing the Command’s operational activities and contributes largely to its achievements.
“I also want to use this medium to appreciate and commend the efforts of all officers in rank and file. Your dedication is highly impressive.
“The efforts of our CIU operatives, Customs Police, Enforcement Unit, amongst other units and other sister security agencies, are appreciated,” Comptroller Nnadi enthused.
It would be recalled that in January this year, Comptroller Nnadi had disclosed that the command aimed at collecting N1,130,768,051,851 as revenue for 2024.
He also declared that the year would be dedicated to stakeholders . The Customs boss made the assertion during a press briefing also in Lagos.
The Comptroller expressed determination of meeting the target set for the command with the cooperation of customs operatives and other stakeholders including importers, freight forwarders, haulage operators, the media and others.
He said the command had been mandated by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to engage all stakeholders in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and foster a culture of compliance that would lead to enhanced revenue collection and trade facilitation.
Giving a breakdown on how the revenue target would be achieved, Comptroller Nnadi said the command was aiming to generate 4,332,444,643.22 daily collection; 21,662,223,216.16 weekly and 94,230,670,990.11 monthly to meet up with the target.
He said the command started 2023 with enhanced recovery guidelines, mitigating the risks of non-compliance, achieved automation of its bond seat and revamped the command’s dispute resolution committee.
Comptroller Nnadi added that under his watch, the command had supported moves to decongest port corridors through regular engagement with Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other stakeholders in the logistics chain of the Lagos port corridor.
Independent
