Onne Customs Generates N26bn in Three Months

Abiola Seun

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Onne Command has generated N26 billion revenue into the coffers of the Federal Government in the first three months of 2019.

In a press statement and a copy made available to newsmen, the Public Relations Officer, of the Command, Ifeoma Onuigbo Ojekwu, the Customs Area Controller, Onne Port,Compt. Aliyu Galadima Saidu said that was against 20 billion generated in the first quarter of 2018.

He said, “The Command has started 2019 on a promising note. It is heart-warming to note that in the first quarter, the Command generated N26 billion when compared to N20 billion generated in the first quarter of 2018, accrued to 26.2 percent increase.”

Comptroller Saidu, explained, “The Command generated a total of N94 billion in 2018, which is about 80 percent of allotted Annual Target of N117.8 billion.

“A comparative review of the preceding year shows that the Command realised M373.2 million more than it did in 2017, bringing it to about 0.35percent increase in revenue collection”.

The CAC pointed out, “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 and Sheds; sensitising stakeholders on the benefits of compliance; application of due diligence and professionalism in documentation and examination of cargoes; and importantly, building synergy with other relevant government agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, Port Health, NDLEA and other sister security agencies especially Navy, Police and Immigration for information, which has proven to be useful at crucial moments”.

Machetes seized without end-user certificate
His words, “It was on the basis of the foregoing that the Command recorded 61 remarkable seizures of various items such as 9 x 40 ft 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, boots and caps with a total Duty Paid Value, DPV, of N1.6 billion.

“A comparative review of the seizure profile of 2017 revealed that the year 2018 surpassed with 37 seizures and DPV of N1,147,142,275 bringing to about 60.7 percent increase in seizures and 70.9 percent increase in DPV, as regards to general enforcement.

“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, import without end user certificate and complete disregards for import and export guidelines with intent to smuggle in illicit goods.

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

“Nevertheless, 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.

“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 the extant laws on import and export for increased revenue generation and anti-smuggling feat.

“Again, the Command recorded a high level of compliance on export declarations. A total of 136,973,413.92 metric tonnes of exported goods with a total Free On Board (FOB) value of $1,126,516,635.9 which is equivalent to N409billion at (N363.14 per dollar) was realized.

“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 N107 billion

“The overall achievement is sequel to the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs and his Management Team, with the 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.

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