Seme Command Nets N6, 294,860,182.98 for 2018

Tayo Oladipupo

The Seme Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service said it collected a whooping N6,294,860,182.98) for 2018.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the command, Saidu Nuruddeen, the figure represents about 76% of the revenue target allocated to the command.

The statement quoted the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Uba Mohammed saying the command will deploy more strategies to ensure that all revenue leakages are blocked and stakeholders who are ready to comply with proper procedures and guidelines are adequately sensitized to take advantage of the legitimate process in their transactions.

He affirmed that the command is ready to explore all avenues in order to ensure that the new target for the year is not only met but exceeded with the inauguration and resumption of operations at the new Joint border post.

The Customs Area Controller reiterated his commitment to continue sanitizing the border command to meet with other international standards. He further warned officers and men of the command not to compromise, but should be committed to the implementation of government fiscal policies.

Comptroller Uba Mohammed attributed the success to the commitment and dedication of the officers and men of the command who were ready to sacrifice their lives in the midst of intimidation and threats.

He also acknowledged the ethical and administrative support from the Comptroller General of Customs (Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali Rtd) and his Management Team; he equally extends his appreciation to all sister agencies both locally and internationally.

The Command’s Enforcement unit in an aggressive anti-smuggling drive against smugglers and non-compliant stakeholders also effectively combated smuggling activities leading to a total of 1,119 seizures with a duty paid value (DPV) N1, 394,136,023.00).

The seizures intercepted under the period include the following items: 37,568 bags of 50kg foreign rice which is equivalent to over 63 Trailers of rice (DPV) – N876, 085,760.1, 072 X 50litres Jerry Cans of vegetable oil (DPV) – N13,675,650.

Others are 169 vehicles (DPV) – N367, 589, 4751,570 X 50 kg Bags of sugar (DPV) – N6, 594,000.

General merchandise 10,439 items worth N100, 773,668 2, 300 Cartons of Poultry Products (DPV) – N20, 700,000 168 pieces of used tyres (DPV) – N768, 600 3,954 litres of Petroleum Products (DPV) – N217,470

119 parcels of hard drugs/Narcotics: all successfully handed over to NDLEA.

It will delight you to know that one of the suspects (Difo Kenneth Cornelius) who was transferred to the NDLEA Seme Command in August 2018 has been imprisoned for a term of two years.