Customs record N249.7bn revenue in May

The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command Onne, Rivers State has said it recorded an N249.7bn revenue in May 2024.

The NCS Comptroller, Area 2 Command, Mohammed Babandede, disclosed this while briefing at the command’s headquarters in Onne on Friday.

Babandede, who assumed office in April said the amount represents 50.4 per cent of the service’s initial target for the year, and an increase of over N100 billion when compared to the same period under review last year.

He stated, “The command was initially given a target of N494 billion before it was reviewed two weeks ago to N619 billion as revenue target for the year 2024.

“As at the end of May 2024, the command had generated a total revenue of N249,752, 268,298.28 which translates to 50.4% of the initial target and 40.3 per cent of the current annual target.

“When compared to the same period last year, the command had an increase in revenue generation of N153, 213, 700, 450.15.”

The comptroller further said that despite the strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress, Democracy Day and the Sallah holidays, as of the morning of Friday, June 21, 2024, the command had generated N43,430,267,210 in June 2024, as he expressed optimism that the command will generate more revenue in the coming months and surpass its annual target of the year.

On the command’s success in the area of anti-smuggling activities, Babandede revealed that seven containers, including one bearing used electronics which have turned into e-waste, with a total paid duty worth of N3,188,454,452 were seized during the period under review.

He said the feat followed intelligence gathered and information sharing with a sister agency, alongside a hundred per cent physical examination.

He said, “On anti-smuggling activities, we have on display six seized containers for violations or contraventions of various customs laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines of the common external tariff 2022-2026, as well as section 233, 234, 235, 236 of Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

“Also today we have on display a seized container of used electronics which turned to e-waste. As you are aware of the environmental effect such waste poses to human lives, for disposal.

” We shall be working with the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency in the spirit of inter-agency cooperation, and synergy and in line with section 119 & 245 of the NSC Act 2023 to have it disposed.

“The seized items on display are as follows; four × 20 feet containers laden with bales of clothing, lace and fabrics (96 jumbo size in total) with duty paid value of N911,520,011.00.

“Also seized were 2×40 feet containers laden with 2,625 cartons of cough syrup codeine, 80 cartons of sildenafil citrate tablets and 40 cartoons of deluxe chilly cutter with duty paid value of N2,250, 065, 000.00(based on concealment, false declaration, contravention od revised import prohibition guideline and section 55 subsection (1) paragraphs (C) and (I) of NCS Act 2023). ”

Continuing, he said, “The contents of these importations contravene the provision of the law which prohibits and restricts certain goods for the protection of the public health and safety.

While confirming that the seizures of codeine were in transit to bonded terminals but due to intelligence gathered they were stepped down for physical examination at the mother Port, the Area II boss warned that there is no hiding place for economic saboteurs in the command, as they would be fished out, arrested and prosecuted in line with the law.

Babandede thanked stakeholders and sister agencies for their collaboration, assuring that the command will not relent in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.

“I want to also use this opportunity to thank the NDLEA for their collaboration and inter-agency cooperation as seizures of this magnitude could not have been possible without their involvement.

“The command shall continue to address our core responsibilities by employing various risk management strategies aimed at collecting revenue, identifying vulnerable leakages, gate hit intelligence and facilitating trade.

“We cannot but underscore the necessity and imperativeness of leveraging on synergy, collaboration and intelligence sharing with sister agencies and stakeholders as it enhances our revenue drive and anti-smuggling feats.