*Impound nine containers, 4120 bags of rice
Mkpoikana Udoma
23 February 2018, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt —The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Onne Area Command, says it has generated a total amount of N11.4billion within the month of January and February out of the N117.8billion revenue target set for the command in 2018 by the Federal Government.
The Controller of Customs, Onne Area Command, Comptroller Abubakar Bashir, who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen, said the Command has resolved to improve on its achievements of 2017 by displaying greater diligence in all its activities for 2018.
Bashir also announced that the Command generated N93billion out of its revenue target of N112billion in 2017, adding that the focus of the Command was to surpass the target set for 2018.
He stated that the Command’s activities have been underscored by consistent and cordial engagements with other government agencies, saying that the engagements have led to the sharing of vital information that has proven to be useful.
According to him, “This year the Command was given a revenue target of N117,811,628,817.11 billion. So far we have generated N11,436,381,551.50 billion. In line with the mission and vision of the Service, this Command has once again resolved to improve on the achievements of 2017 by displaying greater diligence in all its activities for 2018
“Indeed our achievements last year was due to our efforts in training and re-training officers and other stakeholders on IT compliance and modern Customs procedures. We also deployed dispute resolution procedures for trade facilitation.”
The Onne Customs boss further disclosed that the command has impounded 4120 bags of rice and nine containers loaded with pharmaceuticals for false declaration.
The Command disclosed that the pharmaceuticals were imported into the country from China and India, stressing that the drugs were falsely declared as a pressure reducing drugs and PVC valves, whereas the contents were Tramadol and other regulated medicines.
He pointed out that the Command between January and February 2018 confiscated eight containers laden with 4120 bags of rice, falsely declared as sewing machines with the intent of evading the law, adding that with a duty paid value of N64,878,141.48.
“From January to date the command has seized nine containers carrying 8245 cartons of fake pharmaceuticals consisting of 250mg of Tramadol and Tramaking and other antimalarial and analgesic drugs falsely declared as a pressure reducing and PVC values.
“The total duty paid of the seizure of pharmaceuticals amounts to N395,125,912.00. We are particularly delighted by this seizure because we recognise the harmful effect they have especially on our youths and the current national challenge of substance abuse.”
The Customs boss mentioned that the reason for the seizure of the bags of rice was in line with the Federal Government’s drive on local food production, warning that NCS will not tolerate any activities that would affect the well-being of Nigerians.
“This command has been faithful in aligning towards the same policy. From January to date, 8×20 foot containers of rice the with a duty paid value of N64,878,141.48, and carrying 4120 bags of rice from Thailand were seized.
“The activities of the Nigerian Customs Service cuts across all facets of life in the sense that when we seize items like an elephant tusk, we are actually engaged in protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
“When we seize rice and other banned food items, we are actually enhancing the capacity of local entrepreneurs to employ Nigerians and improve local food production,” Bashir said.
