The Area II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Onne Port in Rivers,
says it generated ₦118.9billion (₦118,959,214,999.53k) in the out gone
year 2020.
The figure was announced on Wednesday by Comptroller Mohammed Auwal,
Area Controller, Area II Command, at a media briefing in Onne Port.
According to Auwal, this figure is N11.6 billion (₦11,623,072,175.04)
higher than the N107.3 billion (₦107,336,142,824.29) generated by the
command from January to December of 2019.
Auwal also stated that the command’s enforcement and anti-smuggling
personnel made a total of 37 seizures with total duty paid value of over
one billion naira (₦1,008,266,282.53) within the period in focus.
The Controller, who said that that news conference was the first since
he took over the command on Sept. 1, 2020, disclosed that two suspects
were arrested in connection with some of the seizures.
Auwal also said that the command recorded a total quantity of
2,577,803.31 metric tonnes of cargoes with Free on Board value (FOB) of
$63,497,688.03 (N24.1billion or N24, 129, 121, 451.4) on exports.
He said the command also recorded N278.8 million (₦278,883,780.13) under
the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) in 2020.
Auwal expressed gratitude to Comptroller General, retired Col. Hameed
Ibrahim Ali, “for providing the result oriented leadership that has
helped us to excel in many ways’’.
According to him, the feat was achieved by command’s personnel in the
face of several challenges that impacted on shipping and port activities
last year.
“Our operatives were resilient, being at work always, even during the
COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak and the nationwide lockdown that followed.
“This increase in collection is fallout of due diligence and zero
tolerance for compromise on the part of our officers and men.
“They were always at work in full observance of the Covid19 protocols –
hand washing, use of bottle hand sanitisers, wearing of masks, avoiding
handshakes and strictly observing physical distancing.
“We have never let our guards down even before the announcement of a
second wave of the virus and we didn’t allow it impact adversely on our
functions,’’ he said.
Auwal said his command also made remarkable increase from its N94
billion (₦94,044,676,428.17) collected in 2018.
He noted that the command also achieved ₦13 billion Naira monthly
collection for the first time in its 37 years history under his watch.
A breakdown of the seizures made during the period are: 6,249,900
tablets of tramadol; 5,615 kegs of 25 litre of vegetable oil; 817 bags
of 50kg of Rice; 3,047 bales of second hand clothing; and 86 bales of
used hand bags.
Others are: 35 bales of used shoes; 1,460 pieces of used tyres; 6,500
pies of Aluminium zinc; 1,738 cartons of foreign soaps; 650 pieces of
canvas; two units of Hiace bus; 3,440 pieces of donkey hides/skin; and
67 bales of fabrics.
Also, eight units of truck; 331 pieces of unprocessed wood; 76 pieces of
doors; 641 bags of white cements; 110 pieces of car fan; and 100 pieces
of motor radiator were seized by the command during the period.
He said: “We have strengthened our relationship with Importers,
exporters, freight forwarders and other port users whose function
interface with Nigeria Customs Service in Onne Port.
“Within the period I took charge, I have met with them separately and
collectively even as we all have resolved to consolidate on our
relationships in the interest of the government and our economy.
“We have seen marked improvement in compliance level continual promotion
of due process in all we do.
“Our engagements have reinforced the promotion of ease of doing
business, trade facilitation with emphasis on sincere declarations as a
way of saving time and making legitimate profits.’’
Auwal said his command also enjoyed very robust inter agency
collaboration with sister government agencies.
He said the agencies included the Nigerian Navy; Nigerian Army; Nigeria
Police Force; Nigeria Immigration Service; Department of State Service;
National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control; National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency; Nigerian Ports Authority; and Standards
Organisation of Nigeria.
“Our relationships have resulted in information sharing, crime
prevention, promotion of national economic interest and security,’’ he
said.
He urged the command’s stakeholders, particularly port users, to
continue to understand that “compliance is vital for seamless cargo
clearance, exit, import and export’’.
He said: “This is how importers will enjoy trade facilitation, ease of
business by following the due process.
“I urge them once again to keep abreast with the extant import and
export prohibition lists, avoid duty evasion and imbibe the virtue of
transparency at all times.’’
Auwal also thanks the media “ who have always responded, even at short
notice to our calls’’.
“Your efforts at putting out credible information for promotion of
viable commercial activities have not gone unnoticed.
“You are great pillars supporting us in communicating with our
stakeholders because through you, we also get useful feedbacks,’’ Auwal
said. (NAN)
