- By Tony Nzekwe
The Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt Port Area One Command, Rivers State, has generated the sum of Sixteen Billion, One Hundred and Eighty Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety Four Naira ( # 16, 180, 827,894.00) in the first quarter of 2020.
This information was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller, CAC, in a media chat.
The Customs Area Controller, Compt. Auwal Mohammed, has said, ” The Figure indicated a surplus of two billion, Nine hundred and Ninety three Million, three hundred and sixty thousand, eight hundred and fifty naira ( #2, 993, 362, 850.00)above the revenue generated in the command from January to march 2019; which stood at thirteen billion, One hundred and eighty seven million, four hundred and sixty five thousand and forty four naira ( #13, 187, 465, 044.00).”
Adding, ” The difference in the revenue was as a result of ensuring that importers were made to pay the correct duty and all the clearance procedures were strictly complied with.”
Speaking further, ” The placing of committed and capable officers in conducting 100% physical examination played a significant role during cargo clearance, as well as engaging all relevant stakeholders on regular interactive sessions.”
Compt.Auwal Mohammed expressed delight over the conduct of the Licensed Customs Agents and the shipping line at the Port. However, the CAC warned stakeholders against contravening trade regulations as that will incur the wrath of the law
Reacting on Anti – Smuggling activities, Compt. Auwal Mohammed, said, ” The command made a seizure of 2x20ft container declared as hand tools,however, on 100% examination, it was discovered to also contain candle wax and tomato paste in retail packs; the consignment was seized and forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria with a duty paid value of thirty million, seven hundred and forty three thousand, five hundred and fifty naira (# 30, 743, 550).”
The CAC added, ” Another seizure of 3x20ft containers of vegetables oil and margarine were made. The Consignment which were declared as spraying pump for insecticide, has a duty paid value of Nineteen Million, five hundred and fifty nine thousand, two hundred and fifty naira only(# 19, 559, 350,00).”
Finally, the Customs Area Controller warned smugglers and unpatriotic citizens to stay clear of the Port; that the command will not tolerate any action or inaction capable to jeopardize or undermine the fiscal policies of government, national security and seamless cargo documentation and clearance at the Port.
