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| Comptroller Baba Imam addressing journalists |
The Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) Onne
Customs Command Rivers state says, it has collected a total revenue of N54,
992,123, 687.15 as at March 28th , 2023.While it has also intercepted and
seized 27 Containers of Contraband Goods within the same period under
review.
Briefing journalists, Tuesday, on the activities of
the Command, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Baba Imam said that
since he assumed duty as the Area controller of the Command in January this
year, a foundation to a successful discharge of the Service mandates and
responsibilities of Revenue collection, Suppression of Smuggling, Trade
facilitation and implementation of other Government fiscal policies started
insisting that .” I started by receiving briefings on the workings of the
Command from my predecessor, my Officers and Stakeholders, I embarked on
courtesy visits to various sister agencies to seek for their cooperation in
terms of collaboration, synergy and information sharing. The Command in its
various visits and meetings was emphatic, that it would only welcome complaint
traders who are willing to operate in accordance with import and export
guidelines. The evidences of these visits and meetings will be made known
shortly”, he posited .
He noted that “in revenue generation, the Command
was given a target of N336bn as revenue target for year 2023. As at today the
Command has generated a total revenue of ₦54,992,123,687.15 which
translates to 16.3% of the target. When compared to the same period last
year the Command had an increase in revenue of ₦1,132,925,556.82. This figure
realized is in spite of not having vessels berth in Onne Port for some time due
to the election atmosphere, we look forward to continuous rise in revenue
generation in the coming months as we expect vessels to berth on our coastline
within the next few weeks”.
In anti-smuggling activities, the Comptroller said
within the past few weeks he assumed office, it has
been a harvest of seizures
justifying their committed resolve to facilitating only legitimate trade in
line with the provision of extant laws.
Hence according to him, ” This is made visible with
the display of a total of 27 containers which comprises, 26 seized Containers
and One detained container for violations or contravention of various customs
laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition
guidelines (by trade) Schedule 3 Article 4 of the Common External Tariff
2022-2026, as well as Sections 46 Paragraph (b), (d), (e), (f) and 169 of
Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 laws of the federation of Nigeria
2004 as amended.”
He maintained that, the seizures and detention were
made base on infractions related to import guidelines, which included:
Contraband Goods, False declaration, End user certificate requirement from the
office of the National Security Adviser, NAFDAC permit/license among others in
line with the Federal Government fiscal policies.
The 24 containers laden with refined vegetable oil
comprising a total of 24,860 gallons of 25 and 10 litres La-Jonic vegetable
oil. i.e (19,800 gallons of 25 litres and 5,060 gallons of 10 litres) with duty
paid value of ₦833,172,538.42. (Based on false declaration and contravention of
Schedule 3 Article 4 of CEMA.
Also seized were other two containers laden with
1,165 cartons of Analgin injection and Fireworks with other items. i.e (286
cartons of Analgin injection I.M.V) (2/5g/5ml) (Based on contravention of
revised import prohibition guideline) (210 cartons of Banga, 273 cartons of
W.Tail, 216 cartons of Coloured flowers, 180 cartons of Pops) (Based on absence
of End user certificate).The total Duty Paid Value for the containers is put at
₦94,652,168.39.
Similarly, a 20ft container of machete was detained
on documentation grounds pending provision of End user Certificate. Comptroller
Imam stated that the feat recorded by the Command was due to the collaboration
and synergy with other critical stakeholders for the actualization of Customs
statutory mandate he added that these deliberate and concerted efforts would
guide the command in contributing their quota towards realizing remarkable
results in line with Vision and Mission of the Comptroller General of Customs
and His Management Team.
“For complaint traders of legitimate trade we assure
you of trade facilitation while we would in accordance with the provision of
the law deal with importers and agents who manifest a recalcitrant attitude to
obeying the law.
Concluding, he said "I want to bring to your
notice that, in line with the global best practices and the Controller General
of Customs resolve in trade facilitation, the Command reconstituted the dispute
resolution team headed by the DC Revenue in order to facilitate trade and give
fair hearing to stakeholders and importers with genuine or legitimate complaint
about their consignment.
“Additionally, in order to bring stakeholders
involved or engaged in importation and exportation up to speed with the best
International practice and knowledge required for such operation, our compliant
stakeholders who believed the Command should have a conducive training and
meeting center initiated as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility to
assist in the construction of a conference room that will serve a dual
purposes. I am glad to inform you that work on the Conference/ training center
is almost completed, and within the next few weeks we shall be commissioning
the center.”
Credit:
Bon Peters in ph.
