Customs interceps fresh N1.1bn containers of expired rice, tomatoes in Rivers Port

Abiola Seun |

Barely 24 hours after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), unveiled an intercepted N2.7billion expired rice in Tin Can ports, the service also unveiled another expired rice worth N1.1billion in Portharcourt Area 2 Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Onne Port, Rivers State port.

Speaking in Portharcourt, the Comptroller General of the Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) said the Onne command also intercepted 20 containers of tomatoes worth N272million.

The CG reiterated his team’s determination to protect all citizens and residents in the country by preventing unlawful and poisonous importation from coming in, said his men will remain undeterred in fighting smugglers.

According to him, the seizures were made in line with the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) CAP C45 of the Laws of Federation of Nigeria , 2004, Sections 46 and 161.

“As a responsible Agency, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will not disappoint on its mandate of enforcing compliance by maintaining zero tolerance to smuggling activities, irrespective of whoever is involved and under whatever circumstance.

“Let me assure you that a thorough investigation will be conducted with a view to bringing all connected to justice.

“We shall continue to apply stringent sanctions on any act capable of compromising our efforts towards achieving better efficiency in the discharge of our mandate. I commend my officers in Area II Command, Onne Port for job well done

“The Command’s revenue collection of N90billion from 1st January 2019 to date is commendable.

“I urge you to sustain this effort and possibly surpass your 2019 target” he said.

The CG gave a breakdown of the seizures with duty paid values including 20 container of tomatoes worth N272,261,026.69; 10 containers of vegetable Oil worth N58,380,528.00; 34 containers of roofing tiles amounting to N505,687,096.00 and 11 containers of expired rice totaling the sum of N102,352,800.00.

Other seizures include one container of machetes valued at N36,347,786.00; nine containers of expired vegetable oil and jam worth the sum of N117,614,232.00 ;one container of expired baby wipes worth N9,041,714.00 and one container of scrap metal amounting to the sum of N6,043,780.00