Customs Rake In N54bn Revenue In Three Months
The Nigerian Customs Services (NCS) says it generated over N54 billion revenue from its operations in Area 2 Command, Onne Port, Rivers State, between January and March, 2023.
The Comptroller, Baba Imam, who stated this during a briefing to mark end of the first quarter at the Command’s office in Onne Eleme Local Government Area of the state yesterday, further said the command also intercepted a total of 27 containers of various sizes leaden with imported goods within the period under review.
Imam said the amount so far generated represents 16.3 percent of the N336 billion revenue targeted to the command for 2023.
He expressed delight in the successes his administration in the command has recorded since he assumed office in January, this year, noting that the Command has recorded N1.01 billion increase from what was generated in the period last year.
He said: “In revenue generation, the command was given a target of N336 billion revenue for 2023. As at today, the Command has generated a total of N54,992,123,687.15, which translate to 16.3 per cent of the target.
“This figure realized is inspite of not having vessels berth in Onne Port for some time due to the election atmosphere, we look forward to continuous rise in revenue generation in the coming months as we expect vessels to berth on our coastline within the next few weeks.”
Speaking on the achievements the command has recorded in the period to include seizure of 27 containers comprising, 26 seized containers and one was detained for felling short of various customs laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines.
Some of the items in the containers include gallons of vegetable oil, machetes, fireworks among others.
According to him, the seizures and detention were made base on infractions related to import guidelines such as; Contraband goods, false declaration, end user certificate requirement from the office of the National Security Adviser and NAFDAC permít/license among others in line with the Federal Government fiscal policies.
His words, “The seized items were; 24 containers laden with refined vegetable oil comprising a total of 24,860 gallons of 25 and 10 litres La-Jonie vegetable oil, (19,800 gallons of 25 litres and 5,060 gallons of 10 litres) with duty paid value of N833,172,538.42, based on false declaration and contravention…
“The federal Government banned the Importation of refined vegetable oil in order to promote local production by our local industries, which in turn creates employment for Nigerians and to boost foreign exchange through export of such products.
“Also seized were two other containers laden with 1,165 cartons of two analgin injection and fireworks with other items. i.e (286 cartons of Analgin injection I.M.V) (2/5g/5ml)… among others.
“The total duty paid value for the two containers is N94,652,1 68.39. Put together, the total duty paid value of the 26 seized containers stands at N94,652,1 68.39.”
He recalled that the command has, since his assumption of duty in January, recorded successes in some other areas, such as anti-smuggling activities, and pledged the commitment and resolve to facilitating only legitimate trade in line with the provision of extant laws.
