By Tony Nzekwe
In with it’s statutory mandate, Nigeria Customs Service, Area II Command Onne Port has collected a total of N58,059,198,130:33 for the first quarter of 2022.The collected figure is N19,181,883,844:21 higher than N38,877,314,286:12 collected within the first three months of 2021 which shows a 49.3 percent increase.
This information was contained in a statement issued signed by the Command Public Relations officer, DSC Ifeoma onuigbo ojekwu and made available to GLOBAL RAYS Media.
The statement reads in part: “On anti smuggling, the command made a total of 9 seizures worth a duty paid value of N59,490,705.”
It stated the breakdown of the items seized, “18,555 pairs of footwear worth N26,507,042; 270 pieces of machinery and parts worth N2,211,753; 3,825 pieces of used tyres worth N26,215,230 and 8 bags of rice worth N171,961.”
“Other seizures listed includes 555 cartons of soap and foreign detergent worth N2,709,254; 3 bales of textile fabrics worth N250,377 and 72 cartons of tomato paste worth N1,425,103.”
On export trade, it posited that, “The command processed 320,245.34 metric tonnes of cargo with a free onboard value of N109,486,146,056.48.”
The list of exported items include sesame seed,ginger, hibiscus, flourite ore, lead ore, palm kernel shell, cotton, float glass, aluminium, ingot and urea.
More exported items were food stuff, columbite ore, cashew nuts, tin ore, printed sack and others
In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller, CAC, Comptroller Auwal Mohammed, said, “The feat is work in progress and we are confident that the command total collection for this year will surpass last year’s.”
CAC urged stakeholders and port users in Onne to continually improve on their level of compliance which is lawful, saves time and enhances overall port productivity.
However, Compt. Auwal Mohammed, lauded the support and encouragement received from other government agencies which he described as highly invaluable.
The CAC warned everyone to always be law abiding and reminded them of various resolutions and take home points from stakeholders meetings.
He advised them to brace up for the non intrusive inspection regime which will de-emphasize human contacts in the cargo clearing process and maximize technology for economic and security advantages.
Reacting on the revenue collected, Comptroller Auwal Mohammed, said, ” Our first quarter revenue collection for 2022 is a reflection of dedication to duty and non compromise by our officers. Maximizing our potentials for revenue collection through interventions and issuance of demand notices (DN) have contributed to this achievement.”
His words: “What we have achieved so far is commendable but we must not be carried away by either relaxing or being complacent. I believe, we can do more in months ahead.”
Adding, “It is part of the Comptroller General of Customs mandate to raise revenue and we will remain focused at achieving it without compromising national security by ensuring that no cargo exits Onne Port without due examination and duty payment.”
The CAC reiterated, “So far , I have enjoyed excellent relationship with sister agencies like the Nigerian Navy, Department of State Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control and many others.”
He opined, ” I urge all of us to embrace the reality of modern trade thrust in ports which emphasise a reduction in human contacts and maximum deployment of technology. The NCS management is taking further steps to actualise this as reflected in the recent stakeholders sensitisation meeting on Non Intrusive Inspection (NII) carried out by the ICT and Modernisation department.”
He added, “Together, let’s make Onne Port a high compliant area and together ensure that perpetrators of any form of illegality like smuggling, concealments, duty evasion, false declaration , under valuation and other vices do not succeed here.”
