By Abdallah el-Kurebe, Editor
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it generated N6,294,860,182.98 in 2018.
A statement by the Customs Public Relations Officer of the Command, Saidu Nuruddeen Abdullahi said the figure represents about 76% of the revenue target allocated to the command.
The full statement:
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) of One billion, three hundred and ninety four million, one hundred and thirty six thousand and twenty three Naira only (N1,394,136,023.00). The seizures include the following items:
1. 37,568 bags of 50kg foreign rice which is equivalent to over 63 Trailers of rice (DPV) – N876,085,760
2. 1,072 X 50litres Jerry Cans of vegetable oil (DPV) – N13,675,650
3. 169 vehicles (DPV) – N367,589,475
4. 1,570 X 50kg Bags of sugar (DPV) – N6,594,000
5. General merchandise (10,439 items) worth N100,773,668
6. 2,300 Cartons of Poultry Products (DPV) – N20,700,000
7. 168 pieces of used tyres (DPV) – N768,600
8. 3,954 litres of Petroleum Products (DPV) – N217,470
9. 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 2yrs (on 30th November 2018) for unlawful possession of 7kgs of Cannabis Sativa.
The Grand Total for both seizures and revenue is N9,247,809,065.98
Other units rendition
1. Export – total FOB value of goods exported from January to December 2018 stood at N14,612,402,601.07 with a total NESS payment of N73,061,986.42
2. ETLS- 2, 744 Trucks were recorded for the period under review, and the revenue realized (1% CISS) stood at N88,288,514.75; The revenue was generated from the importation of Cadbury hot-chocolate, Unilever Blue band, Unilever BBM tub/lid, Binding wires etc.
3. Baggage – a total of 1,078 vehicles were given Lasse Passe from January to December 2018; and e-payment realized stood at N569,411,002.00 under baggage assessment.
4. Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism- the grand total inward declarations for the year under review stood at 767,102,805CFA Goldbar worth, 2,455,600 Dollars, 25,000 Euros and 2,200,000.00 Naira; Thus providing statistical data to the Government as required by law.
5. Legal – Seven (7) cases are in various stages of prosecution at the courts for the period under review. There are three (3) judgements given in the Command’s favour. The successful prosecution of the suspects will serve as a deterrent and in due course the command will be a no-go area for such illegalities by the economic saboteurs.
The Command’s helmsman re-stated that 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 UG 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 extend his appreciation to all sister agencies both locally and internationally.
