Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Customs Service says it raked in total revenue of N54.1billion and seizures worth N443m in the first half of the year, between January and June 2019 at Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne Port.
Onne Customs Comptroller, Galadima Saidu, who said the figure translates to 15percent increase over the N46.2Billion collected within the same period in 2018, as well as 57 percent achievement of the annual revenue target of N95.7 billion set for the command in the year 2019.
Saidu also disclosed that the command recorded seizures of 34 containers with the Duty Paid Value of N443million in the first half of the year 2019, assuring that efforts are in top gear by the officers and men of the command to reduce smuggling to its barest minimum.
While reiterating that the command under his watch will continue to be a no go area for non-compliant importers and exports, the Onne Customs boss gave a breakdown of seizures achieved within the period.
“The seized items were, two 20ft containers comprising 2,200 jerry cans of 25 litres of vegetable oil with Duty Paid Value of N26million; four 20ft containers comprising of 6,456 cartons of detergent worth N74million; one 20ft container loaded with 57,300 pieces of machetes valued at N16million; one 40ft container loaded with Scrap metal of various sizes and type worth N5million.
“Other seizures include, twenty-four 20ft containers comprising of 10,800 packs of corrugated aluminum roofing tiles/sheets and its accessories with DPV N290 million; one 20ft container comprising of 315 bales of textiles (wax material worth N18million; 69 bags of imported rice and 329 bales of clothing (assorted wears) amounting to N10million.
“The above profile revealed a testament to the determination, resilience, doggedness, and vigilance of the officers and men of this Command, who have engaged the responsibility of being efficient gatekeepers of our entry points while facilitating genuine and honest trade.
“A total of N751million was recorded for Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme, which is higher when compared with last year’s record of N563million which shows that the command achieved outstanding feats in its export activities within the period under review.”
The Onne Customs boss further said command welcomes only compliant traders who are willing to operate in accordance with extant laws and guidelines, warning of its resolve to deal ruthlessly with importers and agents who manifest a recalcitrant attitude to obeying Customs laws.
“Since we are in a modern customs environment, we maintain open lines of communication between all governments agencies at all times. The process of information sharing within the agencies goes a long way in assisting us to identify and neutralize all possible avenues that could lead to compromises in revenue and security.”
He explained that the seizures made so far are products of synergy between the command, other units within the Nigerian Customs Service and other security agencies.
These units, according to him include Customs Intelligence Unit, CGC Strike Force, Customs Police, and Post Clearance Audit while other security agencies include the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Ports Authority, Standard Organization of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, and the Nigerian Navy,
