Customs Area 11 Command Onne Ph. Hits over N258B Revenue in Four months

 ......Seizes 17 containers of Illicit Trade worth over N2B 

  

Written By Bon Peters

 

The Nigeria Customs Service Area 11 command Onne Port Harcourt Rivers State, has given its revenue generation scorecard and anti-smuggling war from January to April  2026, putting the figures to a staggering  N258B, representing an unprecedented revenue collection in the history of the command and also seizing 17 Containers of Illicit Trade worth over N2B.

 

This disclosure was contained in a Press Release issued, signed and made available by the Command's Ag. Public Relation's officer,  PauI Istifanus Gimba, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 on Thursday May 14, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

 

Highlighting the achievements, the Customs Area Controller, Port  Area 11 Command, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali, said "Just last month, in April 2026, the Command recorded its highest monthly revenue collection since inception, generating over N77.3 billion."

 

"It is worthy of note that from January to April 2026, the Command generated a total revenue of Two Hundred and Fifty-Eight Billion, Two Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira, Sixty-Six Kobo (N258,204,841,355.66)."

 

Continuing, the Onne Customs Boss, posited that the Revenue generated represented  an unprecedented revenue collection in the history of the Command insisting that  the remarkable achievement reflected  the unwavering commitment of the Command to revenue generation, trade facilitation, and the enforcement of extant government fiscal policies.

 

Comptroller Alkali also showcased the Command’s significant anti-smuggling achievements recorded over the past four months, noting that "in February 2026, vigilant officers of the Command intercepted an attempted smuggling of one 40-foot container declared to contain plumbing materials, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Hundred and Eighty-Five Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (N185,220,000.00)."

 

He emphasized that upon examination, it was discovered that the perpetrators had concealed the original container number and replaced it with a fake one in an attempt to unlawfully remove the container from the port without payment of duty.

 

He equally added that in the same month, officers of the Command intercepted nine 40-foot containers laden with various items, including bales of fabrics, building and carpentry tools, cartons of LED lights, cartons of solar fans, and bales of garments, among others, with a DPV of One Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty-One Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand Naira (N1,251,368,000.00).

 

He maintained that the importers contravened Sections 231, 233, and 246 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, through alteration of marks and numbers, document falsification, and attempted smuggling insisting that consequently, the containers and their contents were detained and subsequently converted to seizures in accordance with the law.

 

Furthermore, he hinted that in April 2026, the Command intercepted six 20-foot containers carrying a total of 1,100 jerricans of Super Delicieux Vegetable Oil with a DPV of Four Hundred and Ninety-Four Million Naira (N494,000,000.00). 

 

The importation according to him contravened section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which prohibited the importation of refined vegetable oils and fats in order to protect and promote local industries, particularly domestic vegetable oil producers and agro-allied businesses.

 

Also intercepted was one 40-foot container concealing unregistered drugs comprising about 600 cartons of Hyergra, hidden among other items such as cartons of chilly cutters, ceiling fans, and food packs which the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the items was estimated at One Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (N139,348,800.00).

 

 According to the statement, the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all the seized 17 containers was Two Billion, Sixty-Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira only (N2,069,936,800.00).

 

Sending a stern warning, the Comptroller reminded all mischievous importers and their agents that the Nigeria Customs  Service Onne,  remained unwavering in its resolve to combat smuggling and all forms of illegal trade practices at the Port even as he strongly encouraged all law-abiding traders to remain compliant and resist the temptation to engage in activities that contravene the law.

 

Comptroller Alkali also applauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, for his exemplary leadership, strategic direction, and unwavering support, which he said has continued  to inspire achievements and strengthen discipline within the Service.

 

He further acknowledged the contributions of the officers and men of the Port Harcourt II Area Command, commending them for their professionalism, vigilance, and dedication to duty, while noting that their commitment remained instrumental to the Command’s successes.

 

Concluding, he appreciated the members of the press for their continued partnership and commitment to disseminating accurate and reliable information about the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service to the public.

 

 

Delta South Youths Back Orette, Warn Against Prolonging Agony of the People

 

Youths in Delta South on Friday demanded for better representation in 2027.

 

“The future of Delta South rest on a rigorously vocal, vibrant and honest lawmaker.”

 

They also described the ambition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Delta South, Dr. Austin Orette, as the best possible path in 2027.

 

“Dr. Austin Orette’s ambition is plainly not for himself. It is to serve the wonderful people of Delta South.”

 

At a meeting of the representatives of youth groups in Delta South, the youths applauded Orette for showing solid legislative and administrative gifts.

 

“Dr. Austin Orette is a resourceful and persistent organizer. He is hospitable to new ideas.”

 

The youths laid before newsmen and the public an extensive agenda, including a fast start on federal projects in the district, low interest loans to encourage local projects, stable budget, unemployment benefits, monetary standards and new constitution.

 

Orette’s agenda, the youths said, is fighting off insecurity, despair, dangerous feelings of helplessness and dependence.

 

The Leader of Delta South Youth Movement (DSYM), Amos Ebiakpo read the statement aloud to journalists in Warri with admiration of Orette’s blueprint.

 

“Dr. Austin Orette will lobby persuasively in the corridors, create jobs, improve roads and schools, develop parks and clear waterways. He will also ensure the building of hospitals, gas, sewage disposal and electric power plants, dams and canals, reclamation, irrigation,, levees and flood control projects, bridges and viaducts, docks and tunnels.”

 

The youths scolded those shouting continuity as if they were perverse and backward school boys.

 

“They should perish the dream of a second term.”

 

They said they would have nothing to do with the ruling party and groups supporting the old order.

 

“Backing the incumbent or any member of the ruling party in the district could only prolong the agony of the district” Amos finally declared.

 

Rewarding Poor Performance With Another Term Hinders Progress – Orette

 .....Insists Uninformed People Captured Power For Plunder In Nigeria

 

As politicians jostle for re-election in 2027, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Delta South, Dr. Austin Orette, has urged Deltans not to give a second chance to elected public officers who did not justify their first term in office.

 

Orette in a statement on Friday in Owhelogbo, Isoko North Local Government Area, said rewarding poor performance with another term hinders growth and encourages mediocrity.

“I have contributed positively to the development of Nigeria.”

 

He said it was parochial and docile for anyone to believe that a very talented and knowledgeable group of Nigerians should be ignored in the development of the country. 

 

“Those who believe that they have been slaving away because Dr. Austin Orette has been overseas have no special knowledge or advantage. If they did, where is the result of the slaving? At times like this, all hands must be on deck to drag Nigeria from the precipice. China did it and they succeeded. India is doing it and they are succeeding.”

 

The NDC candidate described the Diasporas as a very patriotic group of Nigerians who have contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria.

 

“The remittance of the Diasporas is what is keeping Nigeria’s economy afloat.”

 

He said uninformed people have captured power for plunder and brigandage in Nigeria.

 

“Dr. Orette believes in Nigeria and has love for his people. His mission is that of service to his people. He has no apologies in this regard. He spent his resources in developing and growing APC in his zone. Those who fought him yesterday, while he was doing these, have changed their uniform and have taken over the APC. He did not leave APC; it was APC that left him. He believes he has as much right as anyone at this time to be the next Senator for Delta South. His sincere belief is: If not him, who? And if not now, when?

 

Those who believe that they cannot vote for Dr. Orette because he is from the diaspora, according to the NDC candidate, are not familiar with his works.

 

“As we move forward to litigate the issues, Dr Orette will have the opportunity to reintroduce himself to his people. If after listening to him and still cannot go beyond prejudice, you can have your choice and continue with the disaster journey of people with limited capacity.”

 

The senatorial hopeful urged the electorate to prioritize performance and accountability over partisan loyalty or sentiment.

 

“The only claim to fame is that they have the opportunity to enrich themselves while the citizens suffer.”

 

He emphasized visible development projects, effective representation and positive legislative contributions.

 

Credit: Henry Ovie

Media Professionals Praise Abdulraraq, Task Kwara Central People on 2027

 The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRaraq, has been lauded for developing a new moral climate, unlocking new energies in a people who had lost faith in government’s ability to meet key challenges and bringing about political and economic reorganization in the state.

 

“History will record the administration of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the most important and far-reaching in Kwara State.”

 

They also applauded him for unifying the people, improving farmers’ condition, reducing unemployment, giving strength to organized labour, establishing decent working conditions and switching the people from an ox-cart to an airplane.

 

“The more enduring achievements of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq lay in the economic and social fields. He accomplished a fantastic series of reforms. He provided infrastructure, delivered the dividends of democracy and gave new status to the people.”

 

The commendation came from media professionals in Nigeria.

 

At a press conference in Lagos, the Nigerian Media Professionals emphasized the governor’s great depth of feeling concerning the destiny of the state, the intelligent state management, governor’s penchant for solving problems, inexhaustible drive and energy and his passion for the life and needs of the good people of Kwara State.

 

The position of the group was presented to newsmen by the Chairman of the Nigerian Media Professional Group, Daniel Okeme, on Wednesday.

 

The professionals challenged critics of the present administration.

 

“Nothing like it has ever happened in the history of Kwara State.”

 

Particularly, they praised AbdulRaraq for his largeness of vision and transformation in the finance, health, education, sports, housing and tourism sectors.

 

“This is the most joyous period in the life of Kwara State. It is a rebirth after a dark age.”

 

The prominent media professionals  stressed on human capital development, ideas and programs, dedication to public service, courage and capacity to condense complex problems into simple and telling statements.

 

They urged the wonderful people of Kwara Central to make AbdulRaraq a senator in 2027.

 

“AbdulRazaq has the qualities which the senate position requires. He is moderate and practical in approach. He is brilliant, competent, efficient and more honourable in money matters. He will continue to work for the interest of the good people of Kwara State.”